Bulgaria

This information is from our Brexit archives, documenting what different countries thought of the negotiations, their relationship with the UK and priorities in the negotiations.

This page was last updated in 2020.

President

Prime Minister

Rumen Radev (Independent, since January 2017)

Boiko Borisov (GERB, since May 2017)

Population 7,000,039 (2019)
Size 110,994 km² (42,823 sq. miles)
MEPs 17 (joined the EU in 2007)
Next presidential election

 

Next legislative election

2021

 

2021

Presidency of the Council After 2030
Last meeting with Boris Johnson None held to date
Brexit priorities The Bulgarian Government wants to move ahead on adopting the euro and join the EU’s visa-free travel regime. In its bid to come closer to the EU’s establishment, it is expected Borisov will mostly fall in line behind his German ally Angela Merkel in the Brexit negotiations. The Bulgarians fear that these negotiations will see smaller, younger member states lose influence in the EU in future, as core member states come closer together.

Bulgaria’s main priority is to secure the rights of citizens living in the UK. The estimated amount of Bulgarians currently residing in Britain is 60.000 people, a small community compared to Eastern allies of the Visegrad Group (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic). There are, however, also some 7.000 Britons living in Bulgaria, most of which are pensioners and retirees and people who have invested in (holiday) homes. Therefore, the reciprocal rights of EU/UK citizens will be the most crucial point for Bulgaria.

Economically speaking, Brexit will not be very high on Bulgaria’s agenda, as 3 percent of Bulgarian exports are shipped to the UK.

What Prime Minister Borisov said on Brexit

 

The UK’s decision to exit the European Union marks “a bad day for Europe.”

“I respect the choice of their people, although from now on it [the people] will be severely split.”

“From now on the EU must show that it can do without Britain […] and we have to start thinking about Europe without them. Any negotiations about a special status should not be held because they will break the union apart.

“When the EU is weaker, you see how the markets react […] the pound is falling. Hence, there will be consequences for everyone.”

Bulgaria’s priorities The new Bulgarian Government seeks political stability following the elections of March 2017. Borisov’s party GERB came in first with 32.63 percent of votes, which meant it did not secure a majority. GERB has teamed up with United Patriots (UP), an alliance of three nationalist parties for a coalition.

GERB and UP have agreed to raise the minimum state pension, increase the monthly wage by 50%, boost economic growth and maintain income and corporate taxes, while keeping the currency tied to the euro until Bulgaria joins the common currency zone.

The new Bulgarian President wants the EU to drop its sanctions on Russia as it seeks closer ties with Moscow.

Bulgaria is the EU’s poorest country and the Government has been heavily criticised for its lack of action in tackling poverty and corruption.

Another Bulgarian priority is to block the EU’s resettlement plans for refugees.