Bulgaria's energy minister recently likened his country's energy sector to the way English football used to be played – "with lots of energy, lots of running around the field, and comparatively little efficiency in achieving its goals."

It's been that way for a long time. Critics say that under the previous Socialist-led government, the industry's development was shaped more by the country's close bonds with Russia than by the needs of the national economy.


Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov recently said that until now Bulgaria's energy landscape has been dominated by the "anything Russia wants" principle.

Until, that is, a new government, installed after July elections moved recently to freeze the country's participation in three major projects dear to Moscow: a new nuclear plant in Belene, the South Stream gas corridor, and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

Although the Kremlin has urged Sofia to make a decision as soon as possible, the government is taking its time. Some analysts say it is also searching for a way to loosen Moscow's grip on its energy industry.