Adrian Nikolov

Adrian Nikolov has been part of the IME team since 2017. Previously, he worked as a reporter at Economedia with a focus on international economic relations, especially in Eastern Europe. He has been a contributor to Infograph and EKIP. Within IME he worked on poverty and inequality, labour market, education and regional development.

He holds a Master’s degree in Comparative Political Science from the University of Tartu, Estonia and a Bachelor’s degree from Sofia University. His academic work focuses on the impact of economic development and dynamics on electoral outcomes and the credibility of governing parties.

Liberal Voices Syndicated, Politics

Bulgaria’ s Autumn of Discontent: In Expectation of 2021 General Election

BY Adrian Nikolov, IME AND Liberal Voices Syndicated / December 1, 2020

Bulgaria had its autumn of discontent. The mass protests proclaimed as a crusade against corruption and state capture have failed, while the prospects for reform of the oligarchic model from within are bleak at best. Hence, Bulgarians are looking at a winter of stagnation and political blockage.

Society

Bulgaria’s March Against Corruption

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / September 9, 2020

The protests in Bulgaria have been going for almost two months now. As the government has failed to provide a meaningful alternative that could satisfy the demands of the demonstrators and thus solve the ongoing political crisis, let us examine the root causes that have driven it.

Economy

Coronavirus and Changing Labor Market

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / April 6, 2020

Crises, particularly so severe as the one we are currently facing, have the inevitable habit of redefining the way our economic life works. The way people work, as well as the very labor market itself, will undergo significant changes.

Review #11

REVIEW #11: Bulgaria on the Path Towards Elected Autocracy: How Far Have We Gone?

BY Adrian Nikolov AND 4liberty.eu / September 24, 2019

During the transition towards liberal democracy and a market economy, some countries from the former Eastern Bloc managed to successfully mimic the model that had already been proven to be successful in the West – a multiparty democratic system, combined with mostly free market capitalism.

Society

Seven Reasons Why Next Google Won’t Be Created in the EU

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / September 8, 2019

There are clear reasons why Silicon Valley or Shenzhen are synonymous with high technologies - they are the place where entrepreneurs and businesses in this field have created their ecosystem, and accordingly attract those who want to break into the industry.

Economy

EU “Mobility Package” as Point of Clash Between Eastern and Western Europe

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / May 20, 2019

The fate of the “mobility package” is, however, far from sealed – the final decision on it will be taken not by the current, but the next composition of the European parliament, which may turn out to be more welcoming towards competition.

Economy

Seven Dimensions of Crisis in Venezuela

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / February 5, 2019

Last week’s events give some hope that the deep crisis which has gripped Venezuela’s economy in the past few years could end, or at least that the country may head towards economic recovery soon. It is, however, worthwhile to again review the dimensions and the causes of the crisis.

Society

Coin for Every Link: “Link Tax” and Freedom of Speech

BY Adrian Nikolov AND IME / July 12, 2018

Like many other recent EU initiatives, the \"Link Tax\" targets online giants such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter in an attempt to share some of their colossal earnings with those they depend on. The good intentions will most likely lead to further encapsulation of the market, increasing barriers to entry.

Economy

Bulgarian Currency Board: Relic from Turbulent Past or Necessary Tool for Economic Stability?

BY Adrian Nikolov AND Visio Institut / June 26, 2018

This paper aims to explore the history, structure, and economic consequences of the currency board in Bulgaria, which was introduced as an emergency measure to combat the late-nineties economic crisis, though has stayed in place ever since.