The Report Bulgaria 2008

Originally presented as the author's thesis (Master thesis)--Fachhochschule Wiesbaden, 2008.

This 2008 Article IV Consultation discusses that Bulgaria has been hit by the global financial crisis, with clear signs that the country’s capital inflows-driven boom has come to an end and that the real economy is slowing down. Executive Directors have commended the Bulgarian authorities for their prudent policies that have built strong balance sheets in the public sector. Directors have also welcomed the authorities’ commitment to maintaining prudent fiscal policies, which will provide crucial support for the currency board arrangement.

Lavinia Stan and Lucian Turcescu examine the relationship between religion and politics in ten former communist Eastern European countries, showing church-state relations in the new EU member states through study of political representation for church leaders, governmental subsidies, registration of religions by the state, and religious instruction in public schools.