He was an engineer before he was a writer (although he’s more of a writer than an engineer). Mexican novelist David Toscana spent 10 years at companies like General Motors, Mattel (“Making Barbie dolls,” he says) and Coca-Cola. He worked as an engineer in the maquiladoras, those Mexican assembly plants along the U.S. border, where laborers put together parts that are received from around the world. This industry is part of the labyrinth that is globalized production.

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Delyan Peevski was a focus of protests that led to Bulgarian elections. Can a new government shake his hold on power?

New Hungarian leader says he could sign a political agreement with the EU in mid-May

The commission also got asked about the Italian proposals for a “wild west-style bounties” that could be paid to Italian lawyers if they successfully convince their immigrant clients to return home.

Our Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida reported on the controversial proposal over the weekend:

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© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

Former President Rumen Radev, who opposes sanctions against Russia and military aid for Ukraine, claimed an overwhelming victory in Bulgaria’s election and pledged to turn the page on years of political gridlock and corruption. Read More

Former president’s win could end years of weak coalition governments but critics say it may be bad for EU

Bulgaria’s Moscow-friendly former president has won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections that could bring the country political stability after years of short-lived coalitions, but leave it walking a tightrope on EU issues.

With all votes counted on Monday, the Progressive Bulgaria party of Rumen Radev, a former fighter pilot and air force chief, had 44.6% of the vote, giving it an estimated 131 of the 240 seats in the national assembly.

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© Photograph: Valentina Petrova/AP

© Photograph: Valentina Petrova/AP

© Photograph: Valentina Petrova/AP

Voters broadly split along generational lines as pro-Russian former president leads in polls

Anna Bodakova’s days tend to be rather hectic at the moment. Hopping between meeting voters on the street, political debates and recording videos for social media, the 23-year-old is standing to become an MP in Bulgaria’s general election.

Last year she was among the many young Bulgarians who participated in countrywide mass protests over the government’s economic policies and perceived failure to tackle corruption. Those protests ultimately resulted in the resignation of the prime minister, Rosen Zhelyazkov, and his cabinet in December.

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© Photograph: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP/Getty Images