site.btaMedia Review: August 26

HEADLINES

No single topic dominated the headlines for August 26. Trud wrote about the hospitality sector facing a mediocre season. 24 Chasa wrote about the countrywide water shortages. Telegraf led with a story about rising carpooling prices. Duma's front page had an article on more than 20 left-leaning political parties joining forces in a coalition. In the morning hours, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), bTV, Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Dnevnik.bg and Mediapool.bg reported on the proposal for a new caretaker government, presented by prime minister designate Dimitar Glavchev and approved by President Rumen Radev.

POLITICS

Multiple media outlets, including morning television news blocks and BNR, reported on the proposal for a new caretaker government, presented by prime minister designate Dimitar Glavchev and approved by President Rumen Radev. The lineup for the "Glavchev 2" cabinet includes three ministerial changes, with Atanas Ilkov taking over as Interior Minister, Ivan Kondov as Foreign Minister, and Krasimira Stoyanova as Transport Minister. The new caretaker government is set to be sworn in before the National Assembly, with snap elections scheduled for October 27. President Radev spoke of the importance of ensuring fair elections and addressing urgent issues like water shortages. Mediapool and Dnevnik also covered the controversies surrounding some of the appointments, particularly Atanas Ilkov's connection to Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) floor leader Delyan Peevski, which has raised concerns about potential dependencies within the cabinet.

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BNR and bTV reported earlier on potential leadership changes at the Ministry of Interior, covering concerns from current officials. Interior Ministry Secretary General Dimitar Kangaldzhiev and Burgas Regional Director Emil Pavlov both confirmed they were not approached about becoming caretaker Interior Minister and firmly rejected the idea. Pavlov spoke of his commitment to remaining a police officer, while Kangaldzhiev warned that frequent leadership changes could disrupt the work of the Interior Ministry.

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Dnevnik published an analysis criticizing Bulgaria's practice of appointing police officers as Interior Ministers, contrasting it with the European Union, where most countries prefer professional politicians for this role. The article argues that civilian oversight is crucial to ensuring that ministers prioritize the interests of citizens. The practice of appointing police officers as ministers, as seen in Bulgaria and Hungary, leads to the politicization of the Ministry of Interior, blurring the lines between political and professional leadership. Dnevnik also challenges the rationale that police professionals should lead the Interior Ministry, contending that this approach undermines political independence and the professional development of career officers, who may feel pressured to engage in political activities to advance their careers.

WATER SHORTAGES

24 Chasa, BNT, bTV, BNR and Mediapool reported on recent protests in Bulgaria over water shortages, covering different aspects of the situation. BNT, BNR and Mediapool covered the road blockades due to water shortages in the regions of Kocherinovo and Pavelsko. They covered the frustration of residents over the deteriorating water infrastructure and the frequent water shortages, with protesters threatening further action if their demands are not met.

BNT also reported on the protest that blocked the main Plovdiv-Smolyan road, where Pavelsko residents demanded a new water pipeline due to ongoing supply issues. bTV also covered the protest and the long-standing issues with the water supply and the municipality's ongoing efforts to secure funding for a new pipeline.

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Trud interviewed former minister of environment and water Emil Dimitrov, who warned of the potential risk of water rationing along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast next year due to insufficient rainfall and poor reservoir management. Dimitrov criticized the caretaker governments over the past three years for depleting reservoir water levels by prioritizing electricity production at hydroelectric plants instead of conserving water for drinking purposes. He said that while deep water drilling is being discussed as a solution, this is not a sustainable option as it depletes resources meant for future generations.

Dimitrov spoke of the importance of proper management of existing reservoirs, noting that the Kamchiya Reservoir, a critical water source for Varna and Burgas, currently holds only 52 million cubic meters of water – far below the 100 million cubic meters needed annually. He also pointed out the lack of action in converting agricultural reservoirs like Poroy and Aheloy into drinking water reservoirs, which could have alleviated the current crisis. Dimitrov concluded by calling for immediate and effective water conservation measures to prevent a severe water shortage on the Black Sea coast in the coming year.

HOSPITALITY

Trud reported a series of stories detailing the challenges faced by hoteliers and tour operators on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast this summer. The season has been described as lacklustre, with some regions experiencing a significant 40% drop in bookings compared to previous years. Hoteliers, particularly in the southern and northern coasts, have expressed deep dissatisfaction, noting that only Sunny Beach reported good turnover, largely due to heavy discounts offered to attract tourists.

The Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association attributed these losses to a series of systemic issues within the industry, including rising costs, particularly electricity bills which have surged by nearly 400%, and a lack of strategic governmental support. The association criticized the current approach to tourism management and said that frequent changes in leadership within the Ministry of Tourism have led to inconsistent policies and inadequate responses to the industry's needs.

Additionally, the increase in VAT to 20% for tour operators from July 1 has further strained the sector. This has led to higher prices in September, despite a general trend of seasonal price reductions.

As the season transitions into September, significant discounts are being offered across the Black Sea coast, with some hotels reducing prices by up to 30%. However, hoteliers remain frustrated, citing ongoing challenges such as outdated infrastructure, inadequate marketing efforts, and the inconsistent support from government authorities. The industry is calling for more strategic interventions to address these issues and prevent further decline in the coming seasons.

WILDFIRES

The ongoing fire in Rila National Park, which has been burning for three days, continues to challenge firefighting efforts due to high altitude and difficult terrain. The fire burns at an altitude of 2,300 meters, currently covers more than 2 hectares, and has entered a coniferous forest, becoming a crown fire in some areas.

Mediapool reported that around 80 forest service employees are on the ground battling the flames. The fire's inaccessibility has made it difficult to control. Dnevnik covered efforts by volunteers and local authorities to contain the blaze. The fire, exacerbated by strong winds, has also reignited in a nearby area. BNT covered the logistical challenges, with water having to be carried manually to the site, and fires spreading uncontrollably due to shifting winds. Agricultural drones and motorcyclists are helping deliver water to the firefighters. BNT quoted local officials expressing concern over the loss of the unique pine forest.

All media outlets stressed the urgency of the situation and the need for the deployment of aerial firefighting equipment to bring the fire under control.

RELIGION

Statements by Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil during a liturgy in Pernik have drawn considerable attention in Bulgarian media, with various outlets focusing on different aspects.

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported that Patriarch Daniil urged believers to pray for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church linked to the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), which faces potential closure following a law passed by the Ukrainian parliament. The law bans religious organizations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) due to concerns over their influence in Ukraine. Patriarch Daniil said, "The UOC-MP is the only canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine," and criticized the formation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) in 2019, describing it as non-canonical and not recognized by the majority of local Orthodox churches.

Dnevnik reported Patriarch Daniil’s concerns about the Ukrainian government's actions affecting the UOC-MP. The Patriarch warned that closing the UOC-MP could result in a situation similar to the church schism in Bulgaria during the 1990s. Daniil also expressed concern over the war in Ukraine, describing it as a tragic and senseless fratricide, and urged Ukrainian leaders to seek peace.

Focusing on the controversy surrounding Patriarch Daniil’s defence of the UOC-MP, Mediapool noted the Patriarch's stance, particularly focusing on the UOC-MP’s links to Russia, an aggressor in the ongoing conflict. The outlet also reported on Daniil’s recent interactions with the US Ambassador to Bulgaria, where he advocated for international support to preserve the UOC-MP’s rights.

A survey cited by BNR and Mediapool found that two-thirds of Ukrainians supported a complete ban of the UOC-MP in June 2024.

ECONOMY

24 Chasa reported on the significant decline in Bulgaria's ice cream production, which has dropped nearly threefold over the past six years, from 29.6 million litres in 2018 to just over 11 million litres in 2023. Despite this drop, domestic consumption has remained stable, with the shortfall being covered by imports. Germany has emerged as the largest ice cream producer in Europe, offering the lowest prices, while Austria produces the most expensive ice cream. Tensions in the Bulgarian market were evident in recent complaints to the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) by local producers against their largest competitor, Froneri Bulgaria, a subsidiary of the British giant Froneri. The outcome of the CPC investigation could reveal more about the state of the Bulgarian ice cream market and the factors behind the production decline. Despite trends towards healthier eating, the ice cream market continues to expand, driven by innovative products and changing consumer lifestyles.

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Duma reported on the rising interest rates and the continued surge in loan uptake in Bulgaria, as shown by data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). Interest rates on existing mortgage loans are beginning to rise, especially for loans in euros, a trend observed through borrower reports. Although these increases are currently isolated, financial experts view them as a sign of the long-anticipated upward trend in loan costs. This development is linked to the recent rise in average interest rates on deposits in BGN, which typically precedes higher loan interest rates.

BNB data shows that housing loans have seen significant growth, reaching BGN 22.73 billion by the end of July, a 25.1% y-o-y increase. There has also been a notable rise in loans to households and non-trading organizations, which totalled BGN 43 billion, or 22% of GDP, reflecting a 19.6% increase compared to July 2022. Additionally, bank deposits for households and non-trading organizations grew to BGN 84.13 billion, up 11.9% from the previous year.

HEALTHCARE

Dnevnik reported on a Lancet Public Health study predicting that heat-related deaths in Europe, including Bulgaria, could triple by the end of the century due to rising temperatures from climate change. In Bulgaria, summer temperatures may increase by up to 5C by mid-century, potentially leading to nearly 3,000 heat-related deaths annually under a worst-case scenario. The study highlighted the urgent need for effective climate policies.

THE NIGHT SKY

BNT and bTV reported on a bright object seen in the night sky over Bulgaria on August 25 around 21:20, captured by viewers in Sofia and Northwestern Bulgaria. BNT cited astrophysicist Kamen Kozarev, who suggested the object might be a disintegrating Starlink satellite, though it is unclear if it was natural or human-caused. bTV described the event as a likely meteor, explaining that such phenomena are common and often leave a visible trail as they enter the atmosphere.