site.btaMedia Review: October 25, 2024

THE TOP STORIES

All dailies report on developments and findings about the hot air balloon accident near Botevgrad (Western Bulgaria), which left one dead and another injured.

Multiple media outlets cover the successful overnight transplants following an organ donation at a hospital in Stara Zagora, Southeastern Bulgaria.

Another top story is Borislav Sarafov submitting his management concept to the Supreme Judicial Council as the sole candidate for Prosecutor General.

POLITICS

24 Chasa, Trud, Nova TV, and BNT covered President Rumen Radev's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack targeting the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. facilities in Ankara's Kahramankazan district. Radev denounced terrorism in all its forms and offered condolences to the victims' families.

Telegraf published MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski's reaction to the terrorist attack. Peevski expressed deep sorrow over the terrorist attack, calling it an assault on fundamental human values and democracy.

ELECTIONS

Dnevnik covers the political atmosphere in Samokov ahead of the upcoming elections, focusing on widespread voter skepticism and concerns about vote-buying, particularly in the Roma neighborhood. Many locals believe that financial incentives play a significant role in determining the election outcome, with residents claiming, "Whoever offers more money, that's who we'll vote for." 

GERB and both former factions of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) are seen as the dominant forces, with GERB targeting Bulgarian voters and former MRF factions focusing on the Roma community. Posters for the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)-New Beginning, led by Delyan Peevski, and the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), led by Ahmed Dogan, are prominently displayed, while other parties have little visible presence.

Despite the lively atmosphere in the town's center, many of the residents express disillusionment with the political process, expecting yet another round of elections in the spring without much hope for change. "It's the same every time," some say, reflecting a lack of faith in the formation of a stable government.

***

Mediapool.bg published an article questioning the whereabouts of Delyan Peevski, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)-New Beginning, just days before the snap parliamentary elections on October 27. 

The article says that Peevski, sanctioned by the US under the Magnitsky Act and by the UK for corruption, has been absent from public view, fueling speculation that he has left Bulgaria. Reports suggest he might be in Qatar, with some linking his disappearance to a recent raid on a counterfeit banknote printing press in Shumen, suspected of involvement in vote-buying.

Valentin Tonchev, a Member of Parliament loyal to Ahmed Dogan, leader of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), publicly raised concerns about Peevski's whereabouts, saying that he had been missing for over a month. Despite being expected at campaign events, Peevski's appearances were canceled, with some sources suggesting that the Ministry of Interior advised him to remain out of sight until after the elections.

The Ministry of Interior denied any connection between Peevski and the dismantled printing press, emphasizing that the operation, which neutralized a criminal group producing counterfeit banknotes, was carried out with the cooperation of Europol and the US Secret Service. The Ministry further criticized attempts to involve them in political campaigns.

***

BNR, bTV, and Nova TV covered police operations targeting vote-buying in Sofia, Pleven, and Kardzhali. In Sofia, police focused on the boroughs of Orlandovtsi, Moderno Predgradie, Filipovtsi, and Fakulteta, where they detained 14 people, seized voter lists, ID cards, and cash, and set up checkpoints. Operations in Pleven centered on the village of Bukovlak, known for controlled voting in past elections, and led to additional detentions and searches. In Kardzhali, 17 reports were received, primarily involving vote-buying and voter intimidation. bTV offered a firsthand account of local tensions in Bukovlak, with some residents complaining about the police raids and the presence of the media.

ECONOMY

Telegraf, 24 Chasa, and BNT cover rising food prices in Bulgaria, which are now approaching or even exceeding the EU average, according to data from the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB). Eggs are particularly expensive, with a dozen costing nearly EUR 3 in Bulgaria, compared to EUR 2.40 in Spain and EUR 1.65 in France. Other products, such as wheat flour, cheese, and cucumbers, are also priced higher or on par with those in other EU countries.

The coverage highlights the disparity between Bulgaria’s minimum wage and the EU average. A three-member family now requires a monthly income of at least BGN 2,616 for a basic standard of living, a figure deemed insufficient by many, including Zlatka and Andrey Semov, who sell goods at a market in Sofia. They claim even higher amounts, ranging from BGN 4,500 to BGN 6,000, are necessary to support their child’s education and living expenses.

Factors driving the increased cost of living include rising natural gas and electricity prices, as well as global trends in grain markets. CITUB estimates that around 32% of Bulgarian workers earning up to BGN 1,000 fall into the category of the "working poor."

While inflation is stabilizing, prices for essentials like milk, cow's cheese, cucumbers, and eggs remain unusually high. CITUB suggests the government should define a living wage to address these economic challenges.

***

BNR reported that Bulgarian businesses will require nearly 262,000 workers and specialists over the next 12 months, according to a survey by the Employment Agency. The demand for labor in cities like Burgas, Varna, and Sofia significantly exceeds the number of unemployed. In Sliven, demand has risen 2.5 times compared to 2023.

Key sectors with high demand include industry, trade, transport, hospitality, and public administration. Employers are particularly seeking workers with secondary education, and qualified specialists in construction, healthcare, and education. Despite a slight decrease in overall labor demand compared to 2023, the survey highlights growing concern among employers about finding skilled candidates, with 66.7% of businesses anticipating hiring difficulties.

Sofia leads in workforce demand, followed by Varna and Plovdiv, while Vidin, Razgrad, and Targovishte are not expected to face negative workforce effects. The survey, based on a sample of 426,226 enterprises, aims to help plan professional training and address labor market needs.

MEDIA

Capital highlights increasing reluctance among Bulgarian politicians to engage with journalists or participate in election debates, sparking concerns about press freedom and democratic values. Prominent journalists like bTV's Maria Tsantsarova face backlash for asking tough questions, often meeting with hate speech and threats.

In an interview, Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of Vazrazhdane [Revival], accused Tsantsarova of unethical conduct, questioning her right to inquire about his party's campaign costs: “How are you not ashamed? You don't seem ashamed, but you should be." He later insulted her online, writing, "Who is this transvestite?"

GERB leader Boyko Borissov added to the atmosphere, saying, "Continue the Change, using just 12 journalists, are continuously harassing the entire society," interpreted by media professionals as a tactic to stigmatize critical voices. "Apparently, in his mind, there are just 12 journalists left... and without them, there would be peace and quiet," said Nikolay Staykov, co-founder of the Anti-Corruption Fund.

The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) condemned these actions, emphasizing that politicians often target journalists who “dare to ask… real questions, difficult questions.” Former TV host Anna Tsolova also recalled how media backlash affected her family, adding, "When politicians… enter the studios, they need to be asked questions; their lies should be checked, and the truth should be reported."

Experts, like Vesislava Antonova of the Commission for Journalism Ethics, see a systematic campaign to discredit journalists. “Today, the media are in a vulnerable position because authorities are systematically trying to undermine them,” she said.

Alexander Kashumov of the Access to Information Program pointed out that politicians should focus on communicating their policies, not blaming the media for “their own failures to present ideas to the public.” Prolet Velkova of the Council for Electronic Media reinforced the critical role of journalism: “Ethical journalism relies on accurate facts, even if they are uncomfortable… A firm response is essential to safeguard independent journalism.”

Prolet Velkova of the Council for Electronic Media argues that undermining independent journalism is an attack on democracy. “The main role of journalism is its critical function,” she said, stressing that ethical journalism is grounded in verified facts, however uncomfortable. Disagreements, she added, should be handled through responses or legal channels, not with threats or discrediting tactics. A firm response is essential to protect journalism's independence and the public’s right to information.

AEJ Chair Maria Cheresheva concluded that the solution lies in “strong solidarity with targeted colleagues and a return to the basic principles of our profession.”

LAW ENFORCEMENT

24 Chasa and bTV cover Borislav Sarafov submitting his detailed concept for the Prosecution Service to the Supreme Judicial Council as part of his candidacy for Prosecutor General. In his proposal, Sarafov says his priority is to prevent the Prosecution Service from being used for political purposes and suggests that investigators handle corruption cases. He also advocates for consolidating expert services into a central body with regional structures, as well as reforming the Penal Code, which he calls "irreversibly outdated."

Sarafov outlines his vision for the next seven years if elected Prosecutor General, building on the achievements of his current tenure. He proposes reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Prosecution Service, including simplifying the prosecution process for minor offenses such as minor bodily harm and petty property crimes to speed up proceedings and reduce the financial burden on the system.

Sarafov criticizes the Prosecution Service under his predecessor, Ivan Geshev, calling it politically compromised and lacking real priorities related to crime. He speaks of his own efforts to restore the prosecution’s neutrality and prevent political misuse of the service, vowing to use all available powers to maintain its impartiality. Sarafov says he decided to run for the position after observing how the Prosecutors College of the Supreme Judicial Council had been reduced to an auxiliary role.

Sarafov's sole nomination for Prosecutor General has sparked protests and opposition from groups like the Anti-Corruption Fund and bar associations. The Supreme Judicial Council is set to hold a hearing and vote on Sarafov’s candidacy on January 16, 2024.

Dnevnik also covers Borislav Sarafov's submitted detailed concept for the Prosecution Service to the Supreme Judicial Council. The article outlines the changes Sarafov has proposed, but also provides background on the controversy surrounding him. He faces criticism for his unclear connections with Petyo "the Euro" Petrov, a controversial figure and former prosecutor and head of the Sofia Investigative Service. A photo of Sarafov at the Eight Dwarfs restaurant, a location where Petrov previously met clients, has added to the concerns.

Dnevnik writes that Sarafov is also under scrutiny for the prosecution service’s inaction on certain frozen investigations, including a loan from the Bulgarian Development Bank to a company linked to businessman Rumen Gaytanski-the Wolf, who facing charges in a high-profile embezzlement case. During Sarafov's time as acting Prosecutor General, he faced backlash for halting key investigations, such as the high-profile Barcelonagate scandal, and the case of photos of a nightstand drawer full of bundles of EUR 500 notes and gold bars, both possibly involving GERB leader and then prime minister Boyko Borissov.

***

Duma writes that employees of the Ministry of Interior are prepared to protest over concerns that the promised salary increases may not be implemented. Currently, the lowest salary for a police officer is BGN 1,466, but the new formula would raise the minimum to around BGN 2,000. Union leader Iliya Kuzmanov expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities, especially amid discussions about a budget deficit. He emphasized that with upcoming challenges like a potential migrant crisis and political instability, it is unrealistic to expect national security to be maintained with such low salaries. Kuzmanov also addressed concerns about retirees in the Ministry, asserting that their dual income from pensions and salaries is legally justified.

HEALTHCARE

Trud, Telegraf, Dnevnik, Mediapool.bg, Nova TV, BNT and BNR report that three life-saving transplants were successfully performed overnight following an organ donation at a Stara Zagora hospital. The organs were donated by the family of a 43-year-old man declared brain dead after a domestic accident. A liver transplant was conducted at the Military Hospital on a 40-year-old woman, while two kidney transplants were performed at Alexandrovska Hospital on men aged 35 and 39. All recipients are reported to be in stable condition.

THE HOT AIR BALLOON INCIDENT

24 Chasa, Trud, Duma, Telegraf, Dnevnik, Sega.bg, Mediapool.bg, Nova TV, bTV, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) continue their coverage of the aftermath of the fatal parachute incident near Botevgrad. Charges have been filed against the owner of the balloon involved in the fatal jump, which resulted in the death of one man and left another, a well-known extreme sports athlete, hospitalized in critical condition after undergoing spinal surgery. The Prosecution Service is seeking the permanent detention of Veselin Hristov, who has a criminal history with five prior convictions.

Investigators suspect that the incident was caused by the low altitude at which the parachutists jumped. It was revealed that the balloon was unlicensed, and flights had been conducted in the days leading to the incident. Teodor Toshev, a member of the Bulgarian National Parachute Club, confirmed that both parachutists had the necessary licenses, but said that such extreme jumps require careful preparation and over 300 prior jumps.

Prosecutors noted that one parachute failed to open, while the other opened too late. Hristov faces charges for causing death and injury due to the lack of proper licensing. His lawyer argues that Hristov was only responsible for organizing the flights, not the jumps. Hristov has prior convictions for several offenses, including drug possession and theft.