Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Political scientist Prof. Reinhard Heinisch:

Austria will lift the Schengen veto after next year's elections

Photo: EPA/BGNES archive

Austria will give up the Schengen veto after next year's parliamentary elections, Austrian political scientist Prof. Reinhard Heinisch predicted in an interview for the BNR. Together with the Netherlands, Austria opposes the expansion of the Schengen area. 

What could force the government to reconsider its position towards Bulgaria and Romania are the interests of Austrian businesses, the political scientist believes. "During the parliamentary discussion, it became clear that Austrian companies suffer losses from the fact that both countries are outside Schengen," he said.

According to Bulgarian MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, it is "absolutely imperative" to become part of Schengen by the end of the year, since 2024 is an election year for the EU, and important decisions are difficult to make in such a period.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Beans, sausages and folk tunes: A colourful feast in the village of Zhitnitsa

The second annual Bean and Sausage Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of flavour and folklore in Zhitnitsa , a village in southern Bulgaria. On 7 September, the grounds of the local equestrian centre will host food lovers keen..

published on 9/7/25 8:05 AM

Bulgaria and NATO to hold BULGARIA 2025 Emergency Management Exercise

From today until September 12, NATO and Bulgaria will hold one of the world’s largest and most complex emergency management exercises — BULGARIA 2025, the Ministry of Interior announced. It will be hosted by the Professional Training Centre for first..

published on 9/7/25 7:00 AM
Radmila Šekerinska

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska to visit Bulgaria

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska arrives in Bulgaria today for a two-day visit, according to a NATO press statement. The Deputy Secretary General will have a number of bilateral engagements. While in Bulgaria, Ms Shekerinska will..

published on 9/7/25 6:45 AM