site.btaSofia, Monday, February 14, 2022, No.37

DNEWS 06:40:01 14-02-2022
TE0301DN.001 06:40
Daily News - Sofia, Monday, February 14, 2022, No.37

Sofia, Monday, February 14, 2022, No.37


Press - Review


Sofia, February 13 (BTA)

ECONOMY

"Operational Programme Environment is drowning" writes Capital weekly, and water utility projects worth nearly 2.0 billion leva are at risk. While all politicians talk about the Recovery and Resilience Plan all the time, Bulgaria is more and more liable to lose other funds designed for investment now. One of the major operational programmes, Environment, is currently in partial collapse. Chaotic management, incomplete procedures, little time and grave staffing problems may almost surely doom it to failure if the new leadership team around Environment Minister Borislav Sandov fails to utilize the remaining less than two years to invest over 1.5 billion leva.

* * *

Dnevnik reports that the new head of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWTC), Stanislav Todorov, sees no reason for electricity prices to rise after the moratorium is lifted. According to him, it is a mistake to trade on the Day Ahead segment of the energy exchange amid a crisis and insecurity, and is confident that this will change.

***

Mediapool writes about the prediction of Movement for Rights and Freedoms MP Yordan Tsonev regarding the selection of a new governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). In mid-January, Tsonev cast former finance minister Simeon Djankov as a replacement for Governor Dimitar Radev, whose term expired on July 15, 2021. Now the e-zine quotes Tsonev as telling bTV on Sunday that he had learnt from a source from the ruling coalition that the person in question is called Ilian Mihov, brother of the head of the Bulgarian Development Bank Valentin Mihov. Still, Tsonev said he might have been misled.

24 Chassa also carries this story.

***

Next week the Ministry of e-Government will publish for discussion the technical specifications for the development of a mobile digital ID application, one of its top priorities, Telegraf writes. Before this becomes a fact, it should be coordinated with the Interior Ministry, Minister Bozhidar Bozhanov says. Options include personal ID cards or even international passports, as well as various security levels.

POLITICS

Most media outlets carry the story of the protest of firefighters and rescuers planned for February 19 over the planned budget and changes at the Ministry of Interior. A late Saturday Facebook post of the Firefighter Trade Union says the decision had been taken by its Board. The decision refers to budget provisions envisaging staff and capital expenditure. The Interior Ministry's employees trade union will also join in the protests. Initiatives begin at regional level on Wednesday and a joint protest is scheduled for February 20.

* * *

24 Chassa features an interview with Labour and Social Policy Minister Georgi Gyokov for the Bulgarian National Radio on the ongoing calculation of new options for pension raises, social inequality and minimum wages in the context of the new budget. The options about the calculation of pensions should be proposed to the National Social Security Institute by the end of April.

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Democrats for Strong Bulgaria Party Re-elects
Leader Atanas Atanassov at National Conference
Sofia - The right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party re-elected leader Atanas Atanassov at its 17th national conference here on Saturday. The party reaffirmed its participation in the government coalition as part of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition.
Atanassov was backed by 288 out of 490 delegates. The other candidate, deputy leader Tsetska Bachkova, won 199 votes. The national leadership has 13 members, including the chairperson.
In his report to the delegates, Atanassov, who is also Democratic Bulgaria co-chairman, said: "We have managed to create an alternative to the vicious corrupt model of [former PM Boyko] Borissov." Atanassov said he had assumed the leadership at a time when there was a need to fight against the blurring of the separation of powers, the effacement of the institutions in general and the National Assembly and the judiciary in particular.
Atanassov slammed what he called GERB's attempts to usurp the Bulgarian right wing. "How can those who compromised democracy and restored the worst practices of the totalitarian State be a right-wing party?," he asked.
Summing up the DSB's successes, he said the party now has members of the national and the European Parliament and representatives in central and local government.
The leader stressed that the complex government coalition is faced with problems in the energy sector, the economy, health care and foreign politics. He said the DSB had two options: either to work towards strengthening the majority and the government, which is to set the country back on the track to modernization, review the previous governance and call the culprits to account, or to see a reversion to the GERB - Movement for Rights and Freedoms model dominated by corruption.
Talking about the DSB's results in the three parliamentary elections in 2021 and its poor showing in November, Atanassov said the new political player, Continue the Change, had gained a foothold on the hard-won electoral ground of the DSB "and literally sucked votes away from it". Still, the most recent elections cannot be termed a failure because the DSB has six MPs, deputy ministers, municipal councillors and a member of the European Parliament.
The leader explained that Democratic Bulgaria's decision to join the government coalition led by Kiril Petkov of Continue the Change had been difficult because the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is part of it. However, without Democratic Bulgaria the government would have been unstable and vulnerable to attacks from the status quo, said Atanassov.
He noted several right-wing priorities: a comprehensive judicial reform that goes beyond the replacement of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev and urgent measures in the energy sector, health care and the economy. The price surge is part of Russia's strategy for destabilizing NATO's Eastern Flank, he stressed, adding that the Borissov cabinet had been the most subservient to Russia's interests in the last 30 years since the start of reforms in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has an interest in a common future with North Macedonia in the EU based on Skopje's strict implementation of its commitments under the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation, said Atanassov.
The DSB party sees the Russian military buildup on the border with Ukraine as a threat to Bulgaria's security. The leader said Bulgaria should resume its role as a proactive NATO member.
The national conference heard addresses from the Prime Minister and from Democratic Bulgaria co-chairman Hristo Ivanov, who is leader of Yes Bulgaria.
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov hailed the DSB's political wisdom in defending the principles of democracy and its courage to join the government at a difficult moment. "To us, DSB as part of Democratic Bulgaria is an experienced strategic partner so that we can build a solid foundation for a predictable future and ensure a real political image of the democratic community," he said.
Hristo Ivanov thanked DSB for pioneering most of the ideas for which the Democratic Bulgaria coalition is fighting. He said the most difficult part - governance in a complex coalition - lies ahead.
The Green Movement of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition also sent an address.


VMRO Party Suggests Bulgaria,
North Macedonia Should Form Federation
Sofia - The VMRO-Bulgarian National Movement party has issued a declaration saying that Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia have a common historical and cultural heritage and this is their future course. One of the items focuses on Bulgaria's policy towards North Macedonia, the party said after its 8th congress, which was held in Sofia on Saturday.
The EU integration of the Republic of North Macedonia is predicated on acknowledgement of the historical truth, of the Bulgarian roots of today's population and the protection of its rights. VMRO urges the governments and political organizations of Bulgaria and North Macedonia to form a federation between the two countries based on their common cultural and historical heritage and common geopolitical interests.
The document lists 14 priorities of which VMRO is a guarantor, including security, education, health care and access to culture for all Bulgarians; energy independence based on the construction of new capacity (including nuclear capacity); a working economy and fair rules for business; constitutional revisions ensuring broader powers of the President, majoritarian voting and referendums; disenfranchising illiterate people and those who do not meet their obligations to the State; and non-intervention of NGOs receiving foreign financing in Bulgaria's religious affairs and education.
The VMRO elected three chairpersons at its congress. After 25 years at the helm, leader Krassimir Karakachanov resigned after the party won just over 1 per cent of the votes in the November 14, 2021 elections.
The delegates voted unanimously in favour of the new chairpersons: Angel Dzhambazki, Iskren Vesselinov and Alexander Sidi. Until now, Dzhambazki was the party's deputy chair and is an MEP for a second term, Vesselinov was also deputy chair, and Sidi was a member of the national leadership. Organization secretary Yulian Angelov was elected Secretary General.
Opening the congress, Karakachanov said the country was going through hard times due to COVID and the economic crisis. Reviewing the past three years, he said that as part of the power-sharing coalition in the Boyko Borissov cabinet, VMRO kept a hard line which "prevented a setback in the relations with North Macedonia".


Foreign Ministry Issues Warning to
Bulgarians to Suspend All Travel to Ukraine
Sofia - Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has warned all Bulgarian citizens to refrain from any travel to Ukraine in view of the deteriorating situation in and around that country. "We invite Bulgarian citizens who are on the territory of Ukraine to take measures to leave the country with the currently available means of transportation," said the Foreign Ministry.
The statement said: "We recommend all our compatriots temporarily or permanently residing in Ukraine to register for the "Travel to...." service on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria - https://www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo/ ukraine#travel-registration-form.
Bulgarian citizens in Ukraine in need of assistance can address the Bulgarian Embassy in Kiev and the Consulate General in Odessa.
Signals can also be submitted to the email addresses of the Bulgarian missions in Ukraine: Embassy.Kiev@mfa.bg; Consulate.Odessa@mfa.bg.
Acting on instructions from Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska, the Foreign Ministry has set up a crisis centre which has been monitoring the situation in and around Ukraine round the clock and is ready to put into action the evacuation protocol, BTA learned from Mitko Dimitrov, Director of the Ministry's Press Centre Directorate.
So far neither Bulgaria's diplomatic mission in Ukraine nor the Foreign Ministry's leadership has been asked to evacuate Bulgarian citizens.
"About 40 people have registered through the Ministry's internet platform with their phone numbers and whereabouts in Ukraine so that we can contact them in the event of evacuation," Dimitrov also said.
On Saturday, Bulgaria joined the EU declaration, meaning that Sofia is not withdrawing its diplomatic presence from Ukraine and continues supporting its territorial integrity, he said.
The Foreign Ministry has already asked the Bulgarian citizens on Ukrainian territory to leave the country with the currently available means of transportation.


Magnitude 3.1 Quake Registered in SW Town of Yakoruda
Sofia - A magnitude 3.1 earthquake was registered in the southwestern Bulgarian town of Yakoruda at 1:20 am local time on Sunday, the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences said. The Institute's Department of Seismology said the quake was epicentred 16.9 km north of Yakoruda and 64 km south of Sofia.
The quake was felt in the Borovets mountain resort, said the Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography.


BTA Opens National Press Club in Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria - The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Saturday opened a National Press Club in Blagoevgrad on the day the town marks the 144th anniversary of its initial liberation from Ottoman rule.
The event at the historical Kalupchiev House was attended by Evlogi, Bishop of Adrianople and abbot of Rila monastery, who consecrated the club together with Seraphym, Metropolitan of Nevrokop. There were also representative of state and local authorities, cultural figures and friends of BTA.
"This is a belated opening of a BTA National Press Club in Blagoevgrad, just as the complete liberation of this city was late and came only in the First Balkan War in 1912," BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said at the opening.
Valchev said it had been easy to provide the premises with the help of the previous regional governor, Nikolai Shoushkov, and thanked the incumbent Blagoevgrad Regional Governor Valeri Sarandev for continuing with the support. Since the BTA Press Club in Blagoevgrad is the largest, efforts should be made to develop it as a place for events not only in the vicinity, but for friends and colleagues across the entire geographical region of Macedonia, he added. The Kalupchiev House can also store BTA archives.
Kiril Valchev thanked the Mayor of Blagoevgrad Municipality, Ilko Stoyanov, and the Chairman of the Municipal Council for providing BTA a home in the town. The contract for its free use by the news agency was signed at the end of 2021.
Remarking on the fact that the day commemorated those who died for freedom, Valchev also recalled the names of BTA correspondents from Blagoevgrad who had worked over the past 70 years. Desislava Velkova is currently the agency's local correspondent and soon there will be a photo reporter for the region.
Mayor Ilko Stoyanov and Regional Governor Valeri Sarandev also addressed the assembly.
The ceremony was accompanied with typical folk songs and music performed by the Veselina folklore group at the Blagoevgrad Creative Development Centre.
Valchev, Sarandev, Stoyanov and Shoushkov cut the ribbon of the new press club together.
The press club in Blagoevgrad is BTA's 22nd and the seventh to open in just a year, Valchev pointed out. Fifteen press clubs opened in the past 17 years, the one in Blagoevgrad being the 19th in this country.
BTA has three press clubs outside Bulgaria. The first one was inaugurated in Bosilegrad (Serbia) on December 11, 2015, the second in Taraclia (Moldova) on October 5, 2017, and the third in Skopje (North Macedonia) on February 4, 2022.
After the official opening, the guests viewed the first exhibition laid out at the Kalupchiev House. On display are photos related to Blagoevgrad region from the BTA archives. The oldest photo dates from 1952.


Tourism Minister: Lv 6 Mln Expected to Be
Paid Out to Tour Operators by Mid-March
Sofia - Tourism Minister Hristo Prodanov Saturday said tour operators would be paid 6 million leva in new state aid in the form of direct grants by mid-March as the tourism industry was the worst hit by the COVID crisis, the Tourism Ministry said.
Prodanov said the industry had received sizable COVID-related support and more was planned. He expressed a hope that this would be the last COVID wave after which life, work and travel would return to normal.
He participated in a roundtable on tourism initiated by Mayor Atanas Stoyanov of Sandanski Municipality (Southwestern Bulgaria) and the local association of hotel and restaurant owners and tour operators. The discussion focused on expanding the tourism potential of the town of Melnik, the sustainable development of Destination Sandanski, its inclusion in the Destination Bulgaria advertising strategy, and the planning of a national strategy for effective use of mineral water.


Civil Initiative Hands Out Thousands of Saplings, Works for More Beauty and Air
Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria - Hundreds of people passed through the central square in Blagoevgrad on Sunday to get some saplings to plant, given by the NGO Gorata.bg afforestation initiative. A total of 12,750 fruit saplings were handed out in Blagoevgrad, the initiative founder, Nikola Rahnev, told BTA. The initiative was supported by Blagoevgrad Municipality.
Besides plums, quince, apples, cherries, Morello cherries and walnuts, the gorata.bg volunteers also gave people young maples, firs, oaks, laburnum (golden rain) and acacia, among others. The volunteers also gave care instructions.


PM Petkov on Nova TV: Successes and Further Steps
Sofia - The greatest success of the incumbent government so far was probably the management of the current COVID-19 wave, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Saturday, speaking in an interview for Nova TV after the government's first 62 days in power. It managed with minimal restrictive measures and a really well-chosencouncil of wide-ranging experts to ensure in-class attendance at schools and, with some problems, hospitals to cope with the challenge.
Asked what he would he consider his greatest failure, Petkov said people do make mistakes and he and his team do appreciate criticism. But they are sure they want to make a change [after the name of the incumbent Continue the Change party in the ruling coalition] and will do everything possible to achieve it.
Taking a question about his visit to the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office (SCPO) as Prime Minister and handing them publicly available information from media publications about 19 people, Petkov said the "list of 19 names was delivered to the 20th person", implying that Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev was among the biggest corruptors and offenders.
The inexplicable, to the Prime Minister, failure of the specialised services and the prosecution to take action, led him resort to publicly available absolutely glaring information anyone could just Google.
No one is above the law, Petkov said, adding that this was the new rule and implying no corruption.
Taking a question about the names of politicians on the list of 19, Petkov mentioned former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov (after the leaked photos of wads of euro notes and gold bars on his nightstand), former finance minister Vladislav Goranov and Movement for Rights and Freedoms MP Delyan Peevski, who was designated under the US Global Magnitsky Act in 2021 for involvement in major corruption but the Bulgarian prosecution service has not found him responsible for any wrongdoing.
Asked about the names of those not in politics, Petkov said he had no problem with that, but the prosecution should be left to do its work first.
Commenting on the opportunity for the Justice Minister to propose to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) the early dismissal from office of the Prosecutor General, Petkov expressed full confidence in Justice Minister Nadezhda Yordanova' s competence. He is sure she will support her proposal with solid arguments and, if the SJC does not accept them, the public will know the decision was made in spite of those facts. The government is focused on transparency, Petkov underscored.
On the subject of the Counter-corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Commission and the recent resignation of its head and foremer prosecutor general Sotir Tsatsarov, Petkov said a new law on the Anti-corruption Commission was to be passed soon. It provides for the split of the institution into two, one division having investigative authority. He is hoping to recruit investigators specialised in anti-corruption from the Bulgarian diaspora abroad, to avoid any connection with local corruption rings.
Taking a question about Friday night's late meeting of the government Security Council and the worst possible scenario, Petkov said the worst could be some act of aggression on the part of Russia towards Ukraine and the possible risks for Bulgaria that would involve, including energy problems and action in such a case. He underscored, however, that this is only in the worst case and was just a scenario.
Asked about the delayed delivery of F-16 Block 70 jets, the Prime Minister said it was mainly due to the pandemic and their delivery would be put off by some two years.
On the topic of when the green certificate will be called off, Petkov said the answer lies in figures. When the number of intensive care beds occupied by patients with COVID-19 drop to a degree when there is no longer a risk for the health care system, or when the vaccination rollout rises to 60 per cent so that it would ensure the same for the intensive care beds. No one wants the green certificate in Bulgaria indefinitely, Petkov said, we only want to be sure the health care system is not threatened.
So if the occupancy of intensive care beds drops to 5 per cent by April, then Petkov assumes the green certificate can be called off.
As to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the subject of some recent controversy, Petkov said it had been sent to the European Commission, which had then sent a list of queries on it, those queries had been addressed and the result had been sent back to the EC. There was no delay and no risk for Bulgaria to lose money because of that.


COVID-19 Update: 3,625 New Cases, Test Positivity Rate at 19%
Sofia - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 1,035,285 after 18,796 tests identified 3,625 newly infected persons on Saturday, of whom 76.4 per cent are unvaccinated, according to data posted on https://coronavirus.bg/. The test positivity rate now stands at 19 per cent.
The active cases are 259,904. Currently, the hospitalized patients number6,224, including 627 in intensive care. Of the 290 new hospital admissions,86.9 per cent are not vaccinated.
Another 4,310 COVID patients recovered over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 741,022.
Forty-five fatalities were reported (93.3 per cent of them were not vaccinated), and the death toll now adds up to 34,359.
Sofia City Region tops the list of new cases with 884 positive tests, followed by Varna Region with 509 and Burgas Region with 476.
With 2,001 new inoculations over the last 24 hours, 4,244,454 vaccinedoses have been administered so far, 2,026,808 people are fully vaccinated, and 654,137 have received a booster jab.


Sofia Mayor Cuts Lukov March Short
Sofia - Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova has suspended Lukov March on Saturday evening, City Hall said. She acted on information from the Sofia Directorate of the Interior that representatives of the organizers and their supporters were gathering in the afternoon, although the event had not been cleared by City Hall.
Police divided those gathered into groups and accompanied them to General Hristo Lukov's home where they traditionally lay flowers at the end of the procession.
The event - a torchlit procession which has been taking place annually in February since 2003, is organized by the Bulgarian National Union. This year the organizers said torches would be lit only in front of Lukov's home.
Hristo Lukov (1888-1943) was a popular military commander, also known for his close links to the Third Reich and his activity as leader of the far-right Union of Bulgarian National Legions. Lukov March commemorates the anniversary of the general's execution-style murder by two Communist militants.
Earlier in the day, a counter-procession mottoed "No Nazis in the Streets" took place in Sofia. The participants staged it in solidarity with all minority groups victimized by hate crimes, homophobia, sexism and antisemitism. They slammed the casting of Lukov March as a patriotic event held by people with traditional values.
The U.S. Embassy issued a position on Facebook, saying that it "fully supports the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' stand in opposing the Lukov march". The Embassy said: "We also stand with our allies and partners from the diplomatic community, civil society, and political parties in Bulgaria in condemning the ideology of hatred and intolerance, which the march represents. We must all unite to oppose hate, anti-Semitism, and calls to violence. #NoHate."
On Friday, Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry expressed full sympathy with the efforts of various institutions to prevent the so-called Lukov March in 2022. "The streets of the Bulgarian capital must remain free of manifestations that are incompatible with the values, traditions and interests of the Bulgarian people. Anti-Semitism, racism, intolerance, discrimination and hatred have no place in our country," the Foreign Ministry said. Events such as the Lukov March "harm the image of Bulgaria, presenting it undeservedly in a negative light and distracting attention from the achievements of our country and the traditionally tolerant nature of our society," the statement said.
Also on Friday, Parliament heard declarations from the parliamentary groups of Continue the Change, BSP for Bulgaria, GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms against the planned event.


US Embassy: F-16 Programme
Sees Delays Due to Pandemic
Sofia - The US Embassy in Sofia said on Saturday that "the F-16 program is experiencing delays due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic".
The press release said: "These unfortunate delays will affect all countries currently participating in the program. The United States remains committed to supporting Bulgaria with its military modernization, and we continue to train together during bilateral and multinational exercises annually, and to invest in other modernization projects outlined in our Ten Year Defense Cooperation Roadmap such as the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense's Cyber Defense Center, Maritime surveillance, and communications equipment across the Armed Forces.
On February 8, Bulgarian Defence Minister Stefan Yanev said a letter from Lockheed Martin Corp. had explained the delivery of the first fighter jets would be delayed by a few months.
In 2019, Bulgaria ordered F-16 Block 70 jets that are expected to go into service starting in late 2023. This country is planning to buy eight more of those aircraft.


Defence Ministry: Spain's Eurofighter
Jets Perform Familiarization
Flights on the Weekend
Sofia - Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon II jets of the Spanish Air Force are performing familiarization overflights of alternate airports in the area of the capital Sofia, the Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas and the village of Bezmer (Eastern Bulgaria) on February 12-13, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said. The flights are conducted in preparation for joint assignments.
The flights are expected to end at 4 pm on Saturday and around noon on Sunday.
Four Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon II jets of the Spanish Air Force landed at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base near Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria) on Friday. Until March 31, 130 Spanish serviceperson will be executing enhanced air policing assignments jointly with the Bulgarian Air Force in line with a decision adopted by the Bulgarian Council of Ministers on January 24, 2022.


Bulgarian Athletes at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
All stories by BTA special correspondent Dimitar Velyov

Albert Popov Scores Best Bulgarian Ranking Ever in Men's Giant Slalom
Yanqing - Alpine skier Albert Popov ranked 17th in the men's Olympic giant slalom on Sunday, scoring Bulgaria's best ever result. He bettered Petar Popangelov's record at 21st place in Sarajevo 1984.
Popov, 24, clocked a combined total of 2min 14.94sec over the two legs after ranking 27th in the first run (1min 07.60sec) and doing a great second run (1min 07.34sec).
This is Popov's best Olympic performance. He debuted in 28th place in the giant slalom and did not finish in the slalom in PyeongChang 2018.
Bad weather delayed the final run by 75 minutes. There were several Bulgarians among the course workers.
Men's Giant Slalom Results - Olympic Alpine Skiing:
1. Marco Odermatt (Switzerland) 1:02.93 (1) 1:06.42 (2) Total: 2:09.35
2. Zan Kranjec (Slovenia) 1:03.71 (1) 1:05.83 (2) Total: 2:09.54
3. Mathieu Faivre (France) 1:03.01 (1) 1:07.68 (2) Total: 2:10.69
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17. Albert Popov (Bulgaria) 1:07.60 (1) 1:07.34 (2) Total: 2:14.94


Vladimir Iliev with Good Result in
10km Sprint Olympic Biathlon
Zhangjiakou - Bulgaria's Vladimir Iliev ranked 31st in the 10km men's sprint biathlon at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday.
Iliev did a good run and clocked 1:51.8 minutes after winner Johannes Thingnes Boe.
Blagoi Todev was 52nd, an excellent debut, clocking 2:45.0 after the winner.
A third Bulgarian, Anton Sinapov, ranked 56th out of 94 athletes.
Dimitar Gerdzhikov ranked 63rd.
Rankings:
1. Iohannes Thingnes Boe (Noway) - 24:00.4 min
2. Quentin Fillon Maillet (France) - 24:25.9 min
3. Tarjei Boe (Norway) - 24:39.3 min
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31. Vladimir Iliev (Bulgaria) - 25:52.2 min
52. Blagoi Todev (Bulgaria) - 26:39.2 min
56. Anton Sinapov (Bulgaria) - 26:45.4
63. Dimitar Gerdzhikov (Bulgaria) - 26:56.5


Vladimir Iliev Ranks 25th in Biathlon Men's 12.5km Pursuit
Zhangjiakou - Bulgaria's Vladimir Iliev finished 25th in the men's 12.5 km biathlon pursuit.
The other Bulgarian athletes, Blagoy Todev and Anton Sinapov, ranked 53rd and 55th respectively.
Men's 12.5km Pursuit - Olympic Biathlon:
1. Quentin Fillon Maillet (France) 39min 07.5sec (0+0+0+0 shooting penalties)
2. Tarjei Boe (Norway) +28.6sec (1+0+0+0 shooing penalties)
3. Eduard Latypov (ROC) +35.3sec (0+0+0+1 shooting penalties)
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25. Vladimir Iliev (Bulgaria) +4min 33.8sec (2+2+2+1)
53.Blagoy Todev (Bulgaria) +7min 57.5sec (1+3+1+1)
55. Anton Sinapov (Bulgaria) +8min 00.8sec (2+0+3+2)


Milena Todorova Ranks 31st in Women's 10km Pursuit - Olympic Biathlon
Zhangjiakou - Bulgaria's Milena Todorova finished 31st in the Women's 10km Pursuit - Olympic Biathlon and did not make it to the mass start.
Women's 10km Pursuit - Olympic Biathlon:
1. Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (Norway) 34:46.9min (0+0+1+0 shooting penalties)
2. Elvira Oeberg (Sweden) +1:36.5min (0+1+2+0 shooting penalties)
3. Tiril Eckhoff (Norway) +1:48.7min (1+1+0+1 shooting penalties)
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31. Milena Todorova (Bulgaria) +4:33.7min (0+0+2+4 shooting penalties)


Bulgaria's Vladimir Zografski
Finishes 38th in Men's Large Hill Individual 1st Round at Beijing 2022
Zhangjiakou - Bulgarian athlete Vladimir Zografski finished 38th in the Men's Large Hill Individual First Round at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 on Saturday.
With 125.0 m and 112.5 total points he failed to make it to the top 30 athletes who qualify to the Final Round.
In PyeongChang in 2018, Zografski placed 35th, his best large hill result at Winter Olympics.
Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi was at the top in the first round with 142.0 m and 147.0 points.
In the final round of the men's large hill ski jumping event, Norway's Marius Lindvik won the gold medal jumping 140 metres and earning 296.1 points. Kobayashi, who won gold on the normal hill on February 6, earned silver.


Weekly Roundup of Political Events: February 5-11
Sofia, February 5
Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska donates a mobile mammography unit to the oncology department of the hospital in the town of Negotino, North Macedonia, as part of a project which aims to reduce breast cancer deaths among women in North Macedonia through boosting early detection rates. Genchovska is accompanied on her visit to the hospital by Bulgarian Ambassador Angel Angelov, MP Toshko Yordanov, Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, and BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, among others.
Sofia, February 6
Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov holds an emergency news briefing to disprove allegations that the new management of state-owned gas supplier Bulgargaz sold 60,000 MWh of natural gas to Romania in prearranged trades. "In this specific moment and this complex international situation, during our meeting in Baku and just before the start of talks with Gazprom Export for re-negotiating the terms of long-term contracts and supply of new quantities, I consider such allegations and statements by former energy ministers, deputy prime ministers and other political persons, to be nothing less than a coordinated attack against the Bulgarian national interests," says Nikolov.
Skopje, February 7
The Bulgarian Embassy in North Macedonia sends a note verbale expressing deep regret about an act of vandalism committed after a joint commemoration in Skopje on February 4 of the 150th anniversary of the birth of revolutionary Georgi (Gotse) Delchev. The Bulgarian side expresses its deep resentment at the desecration of the state symbols. North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry says on its website later in the day that the competent institutions have already taken all necessary steps and procedures to find the perpetrators of this unpleasant incident.
Brussels, February 7
The European Commission confirms the ongoing evaluation of Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. A Commission spokesman says that the evaluation deadline had been extended twice so far by one month. The current postponement expires on February 15. Bulgaria first submitted the plan on October 15, 2021.
Sofia, February 7
The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) and Argentina's National Directorate for Antarctica (DNA) conclude a cooperation agreement at Sofia University. The document is signed by Prof. Christo Pimpirev, Director of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, and Guillermo Carmona, Secretary for the Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic at the Argentine Foreign Ministry. The Ambassador of Argentina to Bulgaria, Alfredo Atanasoff, also attends the ceremony. President Rumen Radev and Vice President Iliana Iotova confer with Carmona, agreeing on the need to strengthen the bilateral relations in various fields. Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska, too, confers with Carmona.
Sofia, February 7
Overall development of children- and family-oriented policies, improving the child care in foster homes and residential social services, improving healthcare, measures to prevent child abuse and early school leaving are among the priorities in the new partnership programme between the Bulgarian Government and the UN Children's Fund for the 2023-2027 period. Bulgarian Labour and Social Policy Minister Georgi Gyokov and UNICEF's Ambassador to Bulgaria Christina de Bruin reach this understanding during a meeting.
Sofia, February 7
The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works announces a competition for the three representatives of the State on the Board of Directors of Avtomagistrali EAD. Regional Development and Public Works Minister Grozdan Karadjov commissions an in-house audit of Avtomagistrali to be conducted by the Ministry's own specialized directorate and to cover the period from the conclusion of the first in-house contracts in 2018 until the end of 2018.
Sofia, February 8
While presenting the 2022 draft budget before the relevant parliamentary committee, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Industry and Minister of Economy and Industry Korneliya Ninova says the State Oil Company is closing down, and she will soon submit draft legislation regarding the company closure.
Belgrade, February 8
Connectivity and energy cooperation are on the agenda of the meetings of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov in Belgrade where he pays an official visit as head of a delegation featuring Energy Minister Alexander Nikolov and Deputy Foreign Minister Vassil Georgiev. The Natural Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria is a priority for Bulgaria and it will give Serbia direct access to liquefied gas and gas from Azerbaijan, he says after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Ana Brnabic. Petkov also says that the connection between Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece should evolve into a single gas market. Petkov's agenda also includes meetings with Parliament leader Ivica Dacic and President Alexander Vucic.
Sofia, February 8
Speaking at the opening of the Annual Conference of the Chief of Defence, Defence Minister Stefan Yanev says: "No one, for any reason, is imposing on us decisions related to our security. Decisions are made in an alliance format after consultations and with consensus, with each member state presenting its sovereign national position." The topic of this year's two-day forum is "Adapting the Armed Forces' Structure, Planning, Preparation and Deployment to the Requirements of the NATO Concept of Deterrence and Defence in the Euro-Atlantic Area". Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Admiral Joachim Ruhle also takes part in the Conference.
Sofia, February 8
The Constitutional Court holds unanimously that the Justice Minister is competent to propose to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) the early dismissal of the Prosecutor General and the presidents of the Supreme Court of Cassation and of the Supreme Administrative Court, if they are found in serious violations, systematically fail to fulfill their official duties, or their actions damage the Judiciary's reputation. Following the Constitutional Court ruling, Justice Minister Nadezhda Yordanova tells a news briefing that they have prepared and will submit shortly a motion for Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev's removal.
Sofia, February 8
The Counter-corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Commission (CCUAAFC) sends a new invitation for a hearing to Justice Minister Nadezhda Yordanova where she is expected to provide details about alerts she said she has against Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev. The CCUAAFC first invited Yordanova to appear on Tuesday but she declined to do so, arguing that the Commission has no legal grounds to demand of her to go to the hearing.
Sofia, February 8
The prosecution service says it is investigating a criminal group at the Bulgarian Investment Agency, involved in a suspected scheme for issue of "golden passports". The announcement comes a day after the prosecution service said that it was opening a probe following an alert by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) about suspicious cases of granting Bulgarian citizenship or residence permits in exchange for investments. Actions are being carried out in the Bulgarian Investment Agency, the Bulgarian Citizenship Directorate of the Justice Ministry, the Migration Directorate of the Interior Ministry and the Economy Ministry.
Sofia, February 8
Issues on Europe's agenda are discussed at a working meeting of President Rumen Radev with the ambassadors of the EU member states and Switzerland. The European prospects of the Western Balkan countries is among the issues.
Sofia, February 8
US Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet leads a delegation of senior US officials to Sofia as part of a multi-country trip to engage with US partners and allies on a range of strategic issues. During his visit, which continues the bilateral Strategic Dialogue launched in January 2020, the Counselor confers with Defence Minister Stefan Yanev, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, and Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska. The guest and his Bulgarian hosts discuss "a broad range of issues, strategizing how our two countries can build on our robust people-to-people ties; boost our shared prosperity and security; and continue our close transatlantic coordination in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the US Embassy says in a press release.
Sofia, February 8
MPO "Justice" - Toronto, a branch of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization in the United States of America and Canada, sends a letter to the US Congress appealing for protection of the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia. A copy of the letter is sent to the US Department of State. The letter calls on the official US institutions to intervene with North Macedonia's authorities in order to "guarantee political rights and non-discrimination for the Macedonian Bulgarian population".
Sofia, February 9
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov goes to the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office (SCPO) to be questioned about names he mentioned during his meeting with Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev on February 4. Petkov was asked to appear before the SCPO to provide information about a list in his possession naming 19 alleged perpetrators of serious criminal and economic offences. After close to two hours at the SCPO, Petkov says that he delivered the list and expects from the prosecution service to focus on the cases related to corruption and other crimes. He declined revealing the names to the media. Commenting on Petkov's summons, President Rumen Radev says this is "a form of institutional blackmail", and that that the power holders should try to carry out a decisive judicial reform because "the past will try to retaliate".
Sofia, February 9
Parliament approves on first reading the 2022 National Health Insurance Fund Budget Bill the 2022 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill.
Sofia, February 9
Parliament elects, 128-13 with no abstentions, Stanislav Todorov Chair of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) on the Continue the Change parliamentary group's nomination.
Grenoble, Southeastern France, February 10
Health Minister Asena Serbezova attends an informal meeting of EU health ministers. The previous two days, Serbezova and Deputy Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova represent Bulgaria at a joint conference of EU Member States health and foreign ministers.
Sofia, February 10
Management of water resources should be integrated into climate change policies, Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov says at an online ministerial meeting of the Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the Danube River. Sandov praises the importance of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River and of intersectoral partnership.
Sofia, February 10
Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Industry Minister Kornelia Ninova tells journalists she has replaced the Board of Directors of the State Consolidation Company (SCC) after the Executive Director asked to be relieved of office. She explains she wants to streamline the work of state-owned enterprises in view of the problems they are plagued by. Ninova says she has asked for a comprehensive check at the SCC and expects a report from the National Audit Office.
Sofia, February 10
After a seven-hour debate, Parliament adopts at first reading the State Budget Bill of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2022 with 127 votes in favor, 99 against and no abstentions. GERB-UDF, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) and Vazrazhdane voted against the draft budget.
Sofia, February 10
Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Grozdan Karadjov says during the opening of the second meeting of the interdepartmental working group for cooperation with the Republic of North Macedonia in infrastructure, transport and connectivity, that all pre-conditions are present to show that the working group is the driving force that will take advantage of the political impulse and move bilateral relations in the right direction at an even higher speed.
Sofia, February 10
In a televised interview, Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov says that a new board of directors at Irrigation Systems EAD has replaced the old one. The new one is comprised of four people, with Executive Director Nikolay Chalakov. The change was prompted by the old management's refusal to sign decisions to terminate contracts with companies and to start new procedures with remediated irregularities that had been listed in an audit report.
Brussels, February 10
The European Commission (EC) presents its Winter 2022 Economic Forecast, according to which Bulgaria's economy is expected to grow by 3.7 per cent in 2022. Economic growth in this country is expected to accelerate to 3.9 per cent next year. In its Autumn Economic Forecast, issued in November of 2021, the Commission had projected the Bulgarian economy will grow by 4.1 per cent in 2022 and then slow down to 3.5 per cent next year.
Sofia, February 10
Approached for comment by journalists, President Rumen Radev says Bulgaria is part of the efforts to de-escalate tensions and de-conflict the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. The head of State notes that this crisis threatens security of Bulgaria and the region as well as of Europe as a whole. On Thursday, Radev familiarized himself with an analysis of the state and training of the Armed Forces in 2021, which was presented by the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov. "We proposed a more flexible and open concept for setting up a battalion-size battlegroup in Bulgaria," Eftimov says after the presentation. "On the basis of a mechanized battalion with dedicated combat support components, we enable the Allies to reinforce us with certain elements to address the deficiencies of our armed forces," the Chief of Defence explains.
Sofia, February 11
The prosecuting magistracy sends to the Interior Ministry the media publications provided by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov about the 19 persons he claimed to have committed serious criminal and economic offences. The list was sent in order to obtain full information about these individuals, as well as about any actions taken by the law enforcement bodies in accordance with their powers.
Sofia, February 11
Bulgaria's Appellate Specialized Prosecution Office (ASPO) says that it has sent the Justice Ministry a negative opinion on draft legislation amending and supplementing the Judicial System Act which provides for the closure of the specialized jurisdictions. The opinion, signed by ASPO Administrative Head Ivaylo Angelov, will be copied to the European Commission and the European Parliament in connection with the European Rule of Law Mechanism.
The document notes that within several years they were established, the specialized jurisdictions "earned substantial international recognition", among other things as taking credit for the progress in combating international crime, which has been acknowledged in the European Commission's reports under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. "The closure of specialized justice will be a mistake that cannot be corrected later on," Angelov argues.
Sofia, February 11
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev discuss the Government's strategic transport and energy infrastructure projects with officials of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The sides consider the possibility of these projects that are important for society to be implemented with the assistance and under the rules of the international financial institutions within the possibly shortest time limits and in conditions of maximum transparency.
Sofia, February 11
MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakci. The meeting agenda includes EU-Turkey bilateral relations, tackling illegal migration, and EU-Turkey connectivity, which the three politicians agree must include education, economic and human contacts. Kyuchyuk and the Turkish Minister concur that Bulgaria and Turkey being neighbouring countries are good partners in many fields.
Skopje, February 11
A joint government delegation from Bulgaria and North Macedonia Friday arrives in Skopje with the first of the renewed direct flights between the two countries capitals. On board the plane of Bulgaria's GullivAir airline are Bulgarian ministers Nikolay Sabev of Transport and Communications and Hristo Prodanov of Tourism, and parliamentary Tourism Committee Chair Ilin Dimitrov, and North Macedonia's ministers Blagoj Bocvarski of Transport and Communications and Goran Milevski of Local Self-Government, and Razmena Durovic, State Secretary at the Economy Ministry. BTA Director General Kiril Valchev is also on board. The delegations are welcomed at the international airport in Skopje by Econom y Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi and Bulgarian Ambassador to North Macedonia Angel Angelov. Later on Friday, the delegations hold bilateral political and business meetings, which will also be attended by tourism business representatives. The newly launched air service between Sofia and Skopje will begin to operate regular flights from March 27 2022.
Sofia, February 11
An ancient helmet originating from modern-day Bulgaria is returned to this country by US authorities. That is possible thanks to the New York District Attorney's Office leading a massive international operation to neutralize a criminal scheme for trafficking artefacts of cultural and historical value. The helmet is seized from one of the world's largest collections of ancient artefacts after US investigators are able to prove that it had been imported through illicit trafficking.
Sofia, February 11
The US Embassy in Sofia announces the awarding of an 80,000 dollar Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grant to create a pilot digital registry to prevent the trafficking of Bulgarian antiquities. Under the terms of the grant, the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission, together with the Balkan Heritage Foundation, the Bulgarian National Police, the National Archaeological Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and the Pazardzhik Regional History Museum, will work to address the ever-growing threats of the theft of antiquities from Bulgarian museum collections.
Sofia, February 11
Plans for a traditional commemoration of controversial WWII Bulgarian general and Defence Minister Hirsto Lukov trigger a wave of protest declarations from the government and political parties. Lukov (1888-1943) was a popular military commander but was also known for his close links to the Third Reich and his activity as leader of the far-right Union of Bulgarian National Legions. The event, called Lukov March, is a torchlit procession which has been taking place annually in February since 2003, is organized by the Bulgarian National Union (BNU). The Foreign Ministry, GERB, Continue the Change, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms are among those condemning the march, which is supposed to take place on February 12.
Sofia, February 11
Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev launch a series of public councils for consultation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The first one is dedicated to projects in connection with healthcare, transport infrastructure and energy.
Sofia, February 11
A fourth round of expert talks between the teams of the foreign ministries of Bulgaria and North Macedonia discusses the latest proposals by Skopje, sent last year in response to proposals by Bulgaria, presented at the third round of expert consulations that took place in September 2021 in Skopje. Details of Skopje's response are not disclosed in the press release. The ministries' teams conirm their commitment to maintaining active dialogue aimed at finding mutually acceptable decisions about the key issues on the bilateral political agenda.


Nu Boyana Film Studios School Programme
Resumes Training Moviemakers
Sofia - One of Europe's largest film production studios, Nu Boyana Film, is resuming its FilmForge school programme after a nearly two-year long hiatus caused by the global pandemic, said the studio CEO Yariv Lerner. FilmForge offers courses in all fields of the moviemaking industry.
The first set of courses for camera, grip and lighting assistants is scheduled between February 14 and 18. Up to 60 students, 18 or older, will be admitted. The ones who perform best will be offered jobs on the sets of several blockbusters, which are planned to shoot in Bulgaria in the upcoming months.
Lerner said that two large-scale productions, one of them by Disney, and three smaller ones are set to shoot in Nu Boyana Film in 2022 so far.
"The local film industry is in urgent need of highly-skilled fresh blood, if Bulgaria is to meet the demand for new movies throughout the forthcoming years," said Nu Boyana Film. They added that some of the major global studios have been showing interest in this country since March 2021, when the Film Industry Act was amended to encourage investments in the Bulgarian film industry.
FilmForge has a mission to organize targeted lessons in order to boost the numbers of skilled personnel in the areas where work force is currently scarce. "While the current work force consists of excellent professionals, most of whom with over a decade of experience working on international productions, their numbers must be replenished with new moviemakers who need to start gaining practical experience."
FilmForge has an advantage over other learning centres around the world. It works alongside an active film studio, thus offering its students good opportunities to get hands-on experience, the Studio said.


December 2021 Retail Trade Turnover Up 9.4%, Year on Year
Sofia - According to preliminary seasonally adjusted data released by the National Statistical Institute on Thursday, turnover in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles' at constant prices increased by 1.0 per cent in December 2021 from November 2021. In December 2021, the calendar adjusted turnover in retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles grew by 9.4 per cent from December 2020.
December 2021 saw a year-on-year increase in the turnover of the retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores (by 13.5 per cent), the retail sale of non-food products (except fuel) (by 13.0 per cent), and the retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco (by 2.9 per cent).
Within the retail sale of non-food products (except fuel), the retail sale of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods grew by 40.4 per cent, and the retail sale of medical and orthopaedic goods, cosmetic and toilet articles in specialised stores rose by 39.0 per cent. The retail sale of audio and video equipment; hardware, paints and glass; electrical household appliances slumped by 2.1 per cent.


Today's Observances:
February 14
Bulgaria:
- Vine-growers' Day;
- Bulgarian Archaeologists' Day.
- Demise of St Constantine Cyril the Philosopher, inventor of the Slavic alphabet.
The world:
- St Valentine's Day.
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1941: Sofia's first trolley bus service is launched.
1994: Bulgaria formally joins NATO's Partnership for Peace initiative.
1997: Multifunctional building of Bulgaria's Antarctic Base opens on Livingston Island.
2001: Flag-carrier Balkan Airlines stops operating.
2008: Diplomatic relations are established with Monaco at embassy level.


Weather Forecast
February 14: Overcast in West, partly cloudy with a sunny afternoon in East. Wind light, east-northeasterly. Lows: minus 3C-2C, Sofia minus 1C. Highs: 6C-11C, Sofia 6C.
Source: National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.



Advisory to BTA's
External Service
Subscribers

Sofia, February 14 (BTA) - Following are some of the main stories to be moved by BTA's External Service on Monday:

-- President Rumen Radev will visit Sungurlare on the occasion of the municipal holiday and Vine-grower's Day. He will have a meeting with Mayor Georgi Kenov and the municipality's leadership.

-- Vice President Iliana Iotova will participate in the celebration of the municipality in Suhindol and join in the ritual cutting of the vineyards.

-- Attendance classes will resume for all students in Sofia and in the regions of Stara Zagora and Haskovo.



Press - Review

Sofia, February 14 (BTA)

POLITICS

Trud writes that Deputy Prosecutor General Daniela Masheva has signed an opinion by which the state prosecution refuses to approve the bill on the closure of specialized justice.The lack of specialized courts, prosecutors and investigative bodies is a retreat from Bulgaria's path to Europe and the project is only in the interest of defendants, the daily writes. The opinion of the prosecuting magistracy states that the motives set out in the bill are untenable, in some respects illogical, and in connection with the work of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in organized crime cases, there are not even any motives.

Trud writes that the Movement of Rights and Freedoms (MRF) have sent a signal for the so-called ''golden passports (citizenship in exchange for large investment) affair to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and to EU Justice Commissioner Vera Yurova. The signal states that in the period from 2015 to 2021, more than 120 people, mostly Chinese working for the Chinese special services, as well as several Russians, received Bulgarian citizenship and the right to reside without verification. The signal also indicates the reluctance of the government to verify the data and to confiscate the illegally issued passports.

Trud, Monitor, Telegraf, Duma and 24 Chasa quote MRF MP Yordan Tsonev who cited information that one of the possibilities for a Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) governor nomination by the government is financist Ilian Mihov, brother of Valentin Mihov, who was appointed chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank personally by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov while he was still acting Minister of Economy. Mihov is a professor of Macroeconomics and Econometrics and Rector of INSEAD, a business university with campuses in France and Singapore. At one time Ivo Prokopiev had gone to study there, said Tsonev. In Bulgaria, Mihov became famous for his idea of modifying the currency board at a time when the only thing political forces agreed on was maintaining the currency board, which was established after the crisis of 1996-1997 and managed to stop hyperinflation. In September 2009, Mihov proposed to "modify" the currency board regime according to a model applied by China in 2003. His theory was met with resistance not only among politicians, but also by the majority of macroeconomists in Bulgaria. The procedure for electing a new BNB governor has already started and in the next 20 days parliamentary groups can propose candidates. The six-year term of the current Governor of the BNB, Dimitar Radev, expired on July 15, 2021. However, due to the parliamentary elections held last year, the appointment of a new governor was left for the time after the formation of a regular cabinet.

Trud writes a scathing article full of buzzwords against Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, arguing that since he can't provide "bread and circuses", as bread has gone up to 2.50 leva, he is opting to provide circuses in the form of fights against corruption. Trud argues that making accusations against businessman Delyan Peevski has become the go-to when the government is in trouble, but points out that accusations against other well-known oligarchs, like Ivo Prokopiev, Tsvetan Vassilev, and others, are noticeably missing. The daily recalls that young Boyko Borissov in the beginning of his rule, was also very rampant against corruption. The article also points out that Interior MInister Boyko Rashov also has a checkered past, noting media investigations into his inexplicable wealth and accusations of connections with underground bosses. This was all in connection to Prime Minister Petkov's information provided to the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office regarding 19 persons who allegedly perpetrated serious criminal and economic offences.

Telegraf quotes former finance minister Vladislav Goranov, who is one of the 19 people singled out by Petkov, who said: "In Bulgaria, a social experiment has long been conducted with unclear consequences. Part of this experiment was the speech of the Prime Minister yesterday. Immediately after the scandal with Bozhkov's unpaid taxes, the prosecution conducted several interrogations with me. So in that sense, the institution has done its job,'' said Goranov.

Monitor and 24 Chasa write that the right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party re-elected leader Atanas Atanassov at its 17th national conference here on Saturday. The party reaffirmed its participation in the government coalition as part of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition. Atanassov was backed by 288 out of 490 delegates. 24 Chasa writes the title: ''Atanassov to Change DSB, but Not Himself. The daily also writes about changes in the leadership of the VMRO party, as leader Krassimir Karakachanov stepped down and was replaced by Angel Dzhambazki, Iskren Vesselinov and Alexander Sidi. The party called for forming a federation with North Macedonia based on the common historical and cultural heritage.

Monitor publishes an interview with Social Minister Georgi Gyokov, who talks about the 2022 State Budget, aid for vulnerable groups, measures for increasing investments, finding ways to increase pensions, maternity leave payments, aid for families with children and social policy goals as a whole.

24 Chasa publishes a detailed look at the need to reduce the number of municipalities, after behind brought up in Parliament by the head of the Regional Policy Committee Yordan Teziiski. 24 Chasa takes a look at the data, reform proposals and even history of the municipality unit and notes that, in any case, the state will aim to provide access to hospitals and schools for everyone.

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Telegraf writes that the Foreign Ministry has set up a crisis centre which has been monitoring the situation in and around Ukraine round the clock and is ready to put into action the evacuation protocol. The Foreign Ministry has already asked the Bulgarian citizens on Ukrainian territory to leave the country with the currently available means of transportation. "About 40 people have registered through the Ministry's internet platform with their phone numbers and whereabouts in Ukraine so that we can contact them in the event of evacuation," said Mitko Dimitrov, Director of the Ministry's Press Centre Directorate. Telegraf also writes of the United States is considering sending additional US forces on a rotating basis on NATO's eastern flank in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the Washington Post reported, citing official sources from the United States and Europe. Romania is on its way to be the first host of a permenant NATO base in the eastern part of the southern flank with 1,000 US troops. The matter of a Bulgarian battalion will be discussed at the National Security Advisory council convened by the President.

COVID-19

Telegraf writes of an imminent second peak of the fifth COVID wave, according to mathematician Lachezar Tomov. He explained that the percentage of vaccinated in this country is still extremely low. Tomov said that if these levels are maintained, the entire population of Bulgaria will be affected by the virus and its new variant.

Trud and Duma write that all students in Sofia will return to school on Monday, as well as in the regions of Stara Zagora and Haskovo. The school principals in the capital are ready with the necessary organization, an inspection by Trud showed. The principals determine the return of all students as a bold decision. According to them, testing for COVID is already routine for teachers and children, unfortunately. However, one of the biggest concerns about in-person classes is still the number of absent teachers.

ECONOMY

Monitor, Telegraf and 24 Chasa quote Stanislav Todorov, the new chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), who said that by the end of the moratorium, the EWRC should be ready with analyses that will give a clear idea of where prices are going. ''The unique situation in our country is that we are in last place in the transition to lower carbon energy sources, but this is in favor of Bulgarian consumers, because we have many power plants that operate on coal - local fuel, and the cost of electricity is lower than that of gas-fired power," explained Todorov. "There is no deficit at the moment, there is no strong reason for prices to rise after the lifting of the moratorium," he added.

Duma quotes Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov, who said that the Ministry will allocate 150 million leva more in support of Bulgarian producers in several sectors. Ivanov pointed out that the sector is facing serious difficulties. He added that he has launched a notification for 111 million in aid under the COVID measure, which will be paid to producers by the end of June. The Minister of Agriculture also drew attention to the bankruptcies among domestic producers. "Out of 900 hectares of greenhouses, 200 are heated,'' he explained, adding: We call on producers not to stop their activities, because the state will support those who have the capacity and ability to produce''. Bulgarian production remains a priority, and the focus will be on unfair competition for imports from third countries, said Ivanov. Regarding the problems in the livestock sector and threats of national protest, Ivanov explained that the problems are due to last year's political crisis.

Trud writes that in the middle of the active winter sports and tourist season, hotels in the resorts of Chepelare, Pamporovo and Stoykite have closed because they cannot pay their unbearable electricity bills. In Chepelare alone, 5 hotels have already closed, including the largest Chepelare, on the square in the centre. And in Stoykite and Pamporovo the number is even higher, with more probably following suit.

Telegraf reports that many churches in the country have stopped heating due to high electricity bills, and monasteries have even restricted cooking with electrical appliances. Priests in the churches say they have no special order from the diocese to save electricity, but because they pay for their own electricity, they decide for themselves how much to use.

Monitor reports that at the end of December, the money in circulation reached 24.696 billion leva. The value of coins in circulation increased to 517.8 million leva at the end of last year, up from 483.8 million leva in 2020.

Society

Telegraf writes that almost 100 babies have been abandoned in hospitals for the two years of the pandemic. Almost 500 others were also at risk, but their mothers reconsidered, Agency for Social Assistance data shows.


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