Bulgarians Battle Extreme Poverty - Die Presse

Austrian paper Die Presse has published a material on the extreme economic hardships faced by many Bulgarians, which it describes as becoming deeply entrenched and chronic.

In the article, entitled "Bulgaria: a daily survival," the paper writes that not only the Roma minority, but thousands of others Bulgarians have to live from day to day with little hope for the future.

It points out examples of poverty from different circles, including a Roma family who have not had work for years, and a ethnic Bulgarian shoe seller who barely manages to shift any goods.

The paper contrasts the drastic situation of low payments and lack of jobs with the luxury enjoyed by many in capital Sofia, and underscores that poverty brings with it social exclusion.

The rate of suicides in Bulgaria is also on the rise, writes the paper.

Die Presse mentions February protests that overthrew the cabinet of then PM Boyko Borisov, but writes that very few Bulgarians have now the hope that elections will bring significant change.

It suggests that Bulgaria's 2007 entry in the EU might have been "a failure" given the lasting huge gap of development compared to other EU member states.

For the full article (in German), read HERE.

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