The voter turnout in the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria is over 45% of a total of 6,575,151 Bulgarian citizens with the right to vote. With 61.49% of the election protocols processed, the political parties have achieved the following results according to the Central Election Commission (CEC): The party of former President Rumen Radev "Progressive Bulgaria" has 50.364% of the votes, GERB-SDF with 16.420%, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - 6.629%, Coalition "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" - 6.211%, "Vazrazhdane" - 5.218%, PP MECH - 4.131%. The data are as of 07:00 on 20.04.2026.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bulgaria reached EUR 809.1 million by the end of February 2026, according to preliminary data from the Bulgarian National Bank, which is an increase of 87.4% (EUR 431.7 million) compared to the same period in 2025. The share of FDI reaches 0.7% of the estimated GDP, compared to 0.4% a year earlier. The structure of investments is as follows: Equity: negative – EUR 26.7 million for January–February 2026 (compared to +19.8 million a year earlier); Real estate: negative net flow of EUR 1.3 million (compared to -2.1 million for the same period in 2025); Reinvested earnings: positive – EUR 631.8 million (compared to EUR 363.5 million a year earlier); Debt instruments: positive flow of EUR 204 million (compared to EUR 48.3 million a year earlier). The net flow of Bulgarian investments abroad for January-February 2026 amounted to EUR 38.8 million (0.03% of GDP), compared to EUR 57.3 million (0.05% of GDP) a year earlier.

In the first quarter of 2026, the number of newly registered legal entities (companies) in Bulgaria was 12,435, and the number of companies that entered bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings, including those declared bankrupt, was 1,027, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Compared to the same quarter of 2025, the total number of newly registered companies increased by 1.9%, and that of bankrupt companies decreased by 5.9%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, the number of newly registered companies increased by 7.2%, and the number of companies that entered bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings, including those declared bankrupt, decreased by 17.9%. In the first quarter of 2026, the companies with the largest relative share in both newly registered and bankrupt companies were the companies from the "Trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" sector. Specifically, the sector "Trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" accounted for 86% of all newly registered companies in the first quarter, and at the same time, 88% of those who declared bankruptcy were from this sector. The following sectors - with a very large gap after the first - in which the largest number of new companies were registered in the first quarter, but also the largest number of bankruptcies, are: "Financial and insurance activities; real estate activities; professional, scientific and technical activities; administrative and support activities" (531 new, 38 bankruptcies), "Education; human health and social work" (370 new, 15 bankruptcies), as well as "Construction" (228 new, 19 bankruptcies).

Bulgarian startup Nomadium Robotics is working on a model to build a network of up to 50 robotic hangars for autonomous drones in under 3 hours. It develops inspection systems for a wide range of applications - solar parks, power lines, telecommunications infrastructure, and early warning of fires, among others. Based on the development of drones, which have a 6 times greater range than traditional ones. Robotic hangars with autonomous stations from which drones can take off, perform tasks and return without human intervention. Between 30 and 50 hangars are needed to cover approximately 99% of Bulgaria, with each hangar being able to serve a radius of about 60 km. The company is already working with a partner who can secure land for the construction of 50 hangars in Bulgaria. The investment for one such facility, equipped with 2 drones, will be between 25 and 30 thousand euros, not including the cost of the land. At a later stage, Nomadium Robotics plans to move to a model where customers will not have to buy their own drones and hangars, but will order inspection as a service. The company is preparing a pilot project together with Resolve Energy for automated inspection of a solar park near Silistra. Behind all these plans is a team of 5 people. The drones are manufactured using an extremely innovative design and are completely 3D printed. The company can produce a drone with a diameter of about 2 meters in just 5 hours. The next big step for Nomadium Robotics is financing. The company is in the process of raising 400,000 euros, which will finance the team and the development of the hangar network for about a year and a half.

German Internet traffic exchange (IXP) DE-CIX is buying a 70% majority stake in Bulgarian Bix.bg. For 2025, Bix.bg's revenue is around 1 million euros, but the company still helps a huge number of companies, including mobile telecoms, maintain fast and stable internet connections. The buyer DE-CIX has annual revenues of over 68 million euros. German DE-CIX connects 135 companies. BIX's network operates entirely with Juniper equipment and has ten points of presence in Sofia - all major data centers, including those of Equinix and Digital Realty. With the exception of the change of ownership, BIX's work does not change, as it will operate as a separate unit, not as a Bulgarian branch of DE-CIX.

The Council of Ministers approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the government and “ENPAI Transformer Components Bulgaria”. It is for the implementation of the priority investment project “Construction of a new Transformer Board production facility and expansion of the capacity of the existing transformer components production facility”. The investment is being implemented in Shumen. The investment amount is 60 million euros. It is expected to create 100 new jobs. The project is part of the company’s strategy to expand production and establish Bulgaria as a center for insulation components for transformers. The global power transformer market is growing rapidly, driven by the energy transition, the development of renewable sources and the replacement of obsolete transformers. In response to the growing demand, “ENPAI” will add 10,000 tons of production capacity for transformer boards for high-voltage and HVDC transformers, ensuring both the needs of the industry and the increase in the capacity of the existing production.

The Izida-1894 enterprise is building an industrial battery with a power of 10 MW and a capacity of 45 MWh. The project is part of the investment "National Infrastructure for Electricity Storage (RESTORE)" from the Recovery and Resilience Plan worth over 7.3 million euros, of which nearly 2.75 million euros are European funding. The contract was signed in August 2025, and the implementation is already in its final stages - less than a year later. The batteries smooth out price peaks - reduce peaks and increase troughs, which makes the system more predictable, more stable and more efficient in terms of quality and cost. The project at Izida-1894 is part of a broader transformation. Within the framework of RESTORE, 81 projects are being implemented in the country with a total value of over 600 million euros, which are building a storage capacity of nearly 9,750 MWh.

The clothing manufacturing company from Byala Slatina, IPL Bulgaria Ltd., has successfully finalized a project for the energy renovation of its production building. Implemented with the financial support of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, the project created a package of energy-saving measures aimed at drastically reducing the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the industrial system: Comprehensive thermal insulation: A modern thermal insulation system (EPS) was installed on 1,172 sq m of external walls, including superstructures, basement floors and architectural elements, meeting all fire safety requirements. Window replacement: The old wooden and metal window frames were replaced with 445 sq m of new, highly efficient PVC and aluminum window frames. The new windows are equipped with low-emission and high-energy glass, as well as automatic moisture-controlled dampers, ensuring optimal air exchange and protection against mold. Modernization of the heating system: A combined heating system has been implemented using heat generators using renewable energy - high-efficiency air heat pumps (air-to-air type), operating with a high seasonal transformation coefficient. The total cost of the project is 323,974.99 euros, the grant amounts to 177,848.79 euros, and the own financing - 146,126.20 euros.

The Stara Zagora company "Ajax Group Holding" donated a new automatic immunological analyzer to the University Hospital "Prof. Dr. Stoyan Kirkovich". The equipment is worth over 33,000 euros. The donation makes it possible to ensure quick and accurate diagnosis of a number of immunological and autoimmune diseases. Their early diagnosis is a guarantee for timely and effective treatment, explained the executive director of the hospital, Prof. Dr. Yovcho Yovchev. Divident. EU

After a period of uncertainty and temporary suspension of work, the management of Elchim-Iskra AD officially presented its rescue plan. At a meeting held on April 16, 2026, the Board of Directors adopted a restructuring strategy that envisages the transformation of the company into a “compact and flexible enterprise”. The production flow and deliveries to customers are expected to be resumed by mid-May. The company is discontinuing all inefficient activities and limiting its portfolio to three main products: semi-traction batteries, traction battery cells and traction batteries. In order to eliminate the so-called “technological risk”, production will be concentrated entirely on automated high-tech lines. The plan envisages optimizing the staff to 135 workers and employees. This is a significant reduction compared to 2025, when the plant employed 197 people. According to the management, this step is necessary to achieve an optimal ratio between production and support staff. The company is temporarily freezing high-budget investment projects with a long payback period, directing its capital to immediate optimization of the cost price and reduction of losses on the turnover flow. The latest decisions are a continuation of the crisis announced in early March this year. Then the Board of Directors made the surprising decision to stop the operation of the enterprise. With the approved updated investment program for 2026, Elchim-Iskra is trying to adapt to the processes of deindustrialization in Europe.

At its meeting of 16.04.2026, the FSC decided: 1. Approves a prospectus for admission to trading on a regulated market of a bond issue issued by Holding Center AD, Sofia. The issue is in the amount of EUR 10,000,000, distributed in 10,000 ordinary, dematerialized, registered, freely transferable, interest-bearing, secured, non-convertible bonds, with a nominal value of EUR 1,000 each, with ISIN code BG2100002265, with a variable annual interest rate formed by the value of the 6-month EURIBOR with a surcharge of 1.00%, but in total not less than 3.00% and in total not more than 5.25% per annum, with an issue date of 27.01.2026 and a maturity date of 27.01.2035. Enters the specified bond issue in the register of public companies and other issuers of securities, for the purpose of trading on a regulated market. 2. Adopts on a second vote an Ordinance amending and supplementing Ordinance No. 48 of 20.03.2013 on the requirements for remuneration. It is to be published in the State Gazette. 3. Sends a letter to Altcoins BG EOOD requesting additional information and documents in connection with the issuance of a permit to operate as a crypto-asset service provider.

European Union exports to the United States fell by more than a quarter for the second consecutive month in February, but the figures may overstate the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs as they follow a period a year ago when a stockpile of supplies began to build up. Exports from the 27-member European Union to the United States fell by 26.4% in February, the EU statistics agency Eurostat said on Friday, after a 27.8% drop in January. That contributed to a 60% contraction in the EU’s trade surplus. In January and February 2025, exports to the United States rose by 16% and 22.4% respectively. In the fourth quarter, EU exports to the United States fell by 15%, with iron and steel exports down almost 40% and chemicals by 60% to 80%, although after a significant stockpile earlier in the year. EU carmakers benefited from a tariff cut of 15% from 25% in October-December, but exports were still 22% lower, although the decline was smaller than in the second and third quarters. ING research shows that US exports of chemicals and transport equipment to the EU also increased between the beginning of 2024 and the end of 2025. The report also notes that the US share of total EU exports fell in all major countries except France. However, exports of aluminium, copper and copper products – despite a 50% US tariff – rose by 9% and 15% respectively in the last three months of the year. The growth in aluminium was partly linked to a technical problem at a US plant, the industry body European Aluminium said. However, for copper, the US does not have sufficient domestic capacity, making European imports economically justified despite the tariffs, European Metals said. Ships and vessels were the fastest-growing sector, with exports tripling in the fourth quarter after nearly tripling in the third. On February 20, the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which he had imposed under a national emergency law. Just days later, however, the US imposed a new temporary global import tax and plans to restructure the tariffs to replicate last year’s agreements with the EU. bgonair.bg