{"id":6241,"date":"2026-03-14T10:30:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T08:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/2026\/kristian-vigenin-europe-should-protect-its-energy-independence-and-the-interest-of-the-people\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T23:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T20:32:49","slug":"kristian-vigenin-europe-should-protect-its-energy-independence-and-the-interest-of-the-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/kristian-vigenin-europe-should-protect-its-energy-independence-and-the-interest-of-the-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6241\" class=\"elementor elementor-6241 elementor-6121\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-185aab7 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"185aab7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ba6d4f\" data-id=\"5ba6d4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-84f8fbe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"84f8fbe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e014226\" data-id=\"e014226\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8184a2c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8184a2c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-26e1717\" data-id=\"26e1717\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c97b06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c97b06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6128\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-500x281.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-133x75.jpeg 133w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eec2ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0eec2ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae53c8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"ae53c8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-0cb2b69 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>14\/03\/2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-fc5baae elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-clock\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm0 448c-110.5 0-200-89.5-200-200S145.5 56 256 56s200 89.5 200 200-89.5 200-200 200zm61.8-104.4l-84.9-61.7c-3.1-2.3-4.9-5.9-4.9-9.7V116c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h32c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v141.7l66.8 48.6c5.4 3.9 6.5 11.4 2.6 16.8L334.6 349c-3.9 5.3-11.4 6.5-16.8 2.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-time\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>10:30<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-97da24a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97da24a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-51f234f\" data-id=\"51f234f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-887969d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"887969d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ivan Krastev: The future of the Maritsa basin is a matter of national security and jobs  <\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27a7015 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"27a7015\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c737ee2 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c737ee2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>&#8220;<\/b>Europe must protect its energy independence and the interest of the people<b>. <\/b> Stara Zagora is one of the areas most affected by the new climate policies and that is why the Maritsa basin must be preserved. This does not mean abandoning the European Union&#8217;s climate targets, but taking account of reality, the economy and the interests of the country. Bulgaria needs the Maritsa basin, these capacities and a reasonable energy mix in which renewable sources, nuclear energy and thermal power plants are in a balanced ratio.&#8221; He declared his support for the leader of the BSP &#8211; OL list in <b> <\/b>Stara Zagora constituency<b> <\/b>Ivan Krastev.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span>Present were Galina Gospodinova, Chairperson of the Regional Council of the BSP in Stara Zagora, Velina Atanasova, Chairperson of the Municipal Council of the BSP in Stara Zagora<b>, and <\/b><b> <\/b>Krasimir Kurtev<b>,<\/b> Deputy Mayor of Radnevo Municipality and Chairman of the Municipal Council of the BSP in Radnevo and Stanislav Gabrovski<b>,<\/b> Mayor of the village of. Obruchishte and Chairman of the Municipal Council of the BSP in Galabovo.<\/p>\n<p>The MEP made a direct link between the issue of energy security and the military strikes against Iran. He recalled that both the BSP and the Party of European Socialists had expressed strong opposition to the military operation and insisted on an immediate cessation of hostilities and diplomatic solutions. He said it was worrying that the right-wing was turning a blind eye to what was happening, while the consequences were already visible in the rising prices of energy carriers, which would inevitably affect the prices of electricity, fuel and essential goods.  <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When we talk about the high prices and the dependence of Europe and Bulgaria on imports of raw materials and energy carriers, we see here in the Maritsa basin a resource that is ours, that makes us independent and that can really help in critical situations,&#8221; Vigenin stressed.<\/p>\n<h2>High electricity bills<\/h2><p>For his part, Ivan Krastev emphasized that since the beginning of the year tens of thousands of households have received inexplicably high electricity bills, and more and more production enterprises are closing their doors precisely because of the high price of electricity. Krastev pointed out that the base capacities are alternativeless for many industries and that Bulgaria cannot afford to decommission thermal power plants before the construction of new capacities with the same capacity is guaranteed. &#8220;The future of the Maritsa basin is a matter of national security and jobs,&#8221; he said, stressing that Bulgarian thermal power plants ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity not only to Bulgaria, but also to the Republic of North Macedonia and a large part of Northern Greece.  <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Ivan Krastev formulated the demands that BSP &#8211; OL puts forward: revision of the Green Deal in its part for large energy capacities, provision of a necessary deferral for the construction of new base capacities, restrictions and compensations for emission prices above 50 euros per ton, as well as a more active role of the state, including as an owner in private thermal power plants.<\/p>\n<h2>Talks in Brussels<\/h2><p>Kristian Vigenin said that a few days ago BSP chairman Krum Zarkov had held meetings in Brussels with European Commission vice-president Teresa Ribera and two important issues were raised &#8211; the high electricity prices in Bulgaria and<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span>the implementation of the Emissions Trading Scheme. The conversation pointed out that the lack of sufficient connectivity of energy networks leads to the paradoxical situation <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">  <\/span>the poorest countries in Europe pay the most expensive electricity. In Vigenin&#8217;s words, the European Commission is already working on expanding the region&#8217;s energy connectivity to allow electricity to be transmitted to and from Central, Western and Northern Europe. <\/p>\n<p>The participants in the press conference agreed that the protection of the Maritsa basin, of jobs, of affordable electricity and of Bulgaria&#8217;s energy independence requires coordinated action at local, national and European level.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\"> <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dd87aa gallery-spacing-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"4dd87aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<style type='text\/css'>\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: 49.99%;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#sc_gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\/* see sc_gallery() in functions\/theme-shortcodes.php *\/\n\t\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='sc_gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-6241 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full none gallery-default'><dl class='gallery-item'  data-title='Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people' data-description=''><div class='gallery-item-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-500x281.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-133x75.jpeg 133w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-1-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/div><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'  data-title='PKF 2' data-description=''><div class='gallery-item-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin - Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people (photo 3)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-500x281.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-133x75.jpeg 133w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf2-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/div><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'  data-title='PKF 3' data-description=''><div class='gallery-item-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin - Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people (photo 4)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-500x281.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-133x75.jpeg 133w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf3-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/div><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'  data-title='PKF Stara Zagora 4' data-description=''><div class='gallery-item-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin - Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-500x281.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-133x75.jpeg 133w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pkf-stara-zagora4-480x270.jpeg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt><\/div><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e021b56 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e021b56\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-612c3c3\" data-id=\"612c3c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-50fe3ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"50fe3ea\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ad2208\" data-id=\"4ad2208\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9da2c43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9da2c43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More\n<br>News<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c81c073\" data-id=\"c81c073\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e27e5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-mfn_blog\" data-id=\"7e27e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"mfn_blog.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"column_filters\"><div class=\"blog_wrapper isotope_wrapper clearfix\"><div class=\"posts_group lm_wrapper col-2 grid hide-more\"><article class=\"post post-item isotope-item clearfix post-10708 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-legislation category-news-en\" style=\"\"><div class=\"date_label\">08\/10\/2026<\/div><div class=\"image_frame post-photo-wrapper scale-with-grid image\"><div class=\"image_wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-corruption-takes-money-away-from-hospitals-schools-and-social-services\/\"><div class=\"mask\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-corruption-takes-money-from-hospitals-schools-social-services-960x554.webp\" class=\"scale-with-grid wp-post-image\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin speaking in the European Parliament plenary\" \/><\/a><div class=\"image_links double\"><a class=\"zoom tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Zoom\" 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class=\"path\"><\/path><line x1=\"10.17\" y1=\"15.83\" x2=\"15.83\" y2=\"10.17\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-desc-wrapper bg- has-custom-bg\" style=\"\"><div class=\"post-desc\"><div class=\"post-head\"><div class=\"post-meta clearfix\"><div class=\"author-date\"><span class=\"date\"><i class=\"icon-clock\"><\/i> <span class=\"post-date updated\">08\/10\/2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"category\"><span class=\"cat-btn\">Category <i class=\"icon-down-dir\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><div class=\"cat-wrapper\"><ul class=\"post-categories\">\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/legislation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legislation<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/news-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">news<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-title\"><h4 class=\"entry-title \" itemprop=\"headline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-corruption-takes-money-away-from-hospitals-schools-and-social-services\/\">Vigenin: Corruption takes money away from hospitals, schools and social services<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><article class=\"post post-item isotope-item clearfix post-10710 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-news-en\" style=\"\"><div class=\"date_label\">07\/10\/2026<\/div><div class=\"image_frame post-photo-wrapper scale-with-grid image\"><div class=\"image_wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-in-strasbourg-eu-china-relations-must-be-built-on-dialogue\/\"><div class=\"mask\"><\/div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue.webp\" class=\"scale-with-grid wp-post-image\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin speaking in the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue.webp 800w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue-500x289.webp 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue-300x173.webp 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue-768x444.webp 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue-130x75.webp 130w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue-480x277.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"image_links double\"><a class=\"zoom tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Zoom\" data-position=\"left\" rel=\"prettyphoto\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-strasbourg-eu-china-dialogue.webp\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><circle cx=\"11.35\" cy=\"11.35\" r=\"6\" class=\"path\"><\/circle><line x1=\"15.59\" y1=\"15.59\" x2=\"20.65\" y2=\"20.65\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"link tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Details\" data-position=\"left\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-in-strasbourg-eu-china-relations-must-be-built-on-dialogue\/\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><g><path d=\"M10.17,8.76l2.12-2.12a5,5,0,0,1,7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0,7.07l-2.12,2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><path d=\"M15.83,17.24l-2.12,2.12a5,5,0,0,1-7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0-7.07l2.12-2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><line x1=\"10.17\" y1=\"15.83\" x2=\"15.83\" y2=\"10.17\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-desc-wrapper bg- has-custom-bg\" style=\"\"><div class=\"post-desc\"><div class=\"post-head\"><div class=\"post-meta clearfix\"><div class=\"author-date\"><span class=\"date\"><i class=\"icon-clock\"><\/i> <span class=\"post-date updated\">07\/10\/2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"category\"><span class=\"cat-btn\">Category <i class=\"icon-down-dir\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><div class=\"cat-wrapper\"><ul class=\"post-categories\">\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/news-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">news<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-title\"><h4 class=\"entry-title \" itemprop=\"headline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-in-strasbourg-eu-china-relations-must-be-built-on-dialogue\/\">Vigenin in Strasbourg: EU-China relations must be built on dialogue<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b71cea9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b71cea9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kristian Vigenin: Europe should protect its energy independence and the interest of the people Ivan Krastev: The future of the Maritsa basin is a matter of<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,40,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-ecology-and-food-en","category-news-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6241"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10536,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6241\/revisions\/10536"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}