site.btaMedia Review: August 30

BULGARIA'S NOMINEES FOR EU COMMISSIONER

The government Friday named GERB-UDF nominee Ekaterina Zaharieva and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) nominee Julian Popov as Bulgaria's two candidates for a European Commissioner.

Over the last two days, the Prime Minister spoke with the seven nominees of the parliamentary groups: four women and three men. GERB-UDF’s nominee Ekaterina Zaharieva is a former deputy prime minister and minister of regional development. CC-DB nominated Julian Popov, former minister of environment and water. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) nominated former MEP Iskra Mihaylova, and Vazrazhdane chose Victor Papazov, an experienced economist. BSP gave Glavchev two names: former minister of economy and energy Dragomir Stoynev, and MEP Tsvetelina Penkova, with the proviso that she is suitable if Bulgaria is entrusted the Energy portfolio. There Is Such a People (TISP) nominated immunology expert Velislava Petrova.

Friday's media reported EC President Ursula von der Leyen asked for Bulgarian nominations of a man and a woman. On Thursday night President Rumen Radev insisted that this country should nominate two women so that the European Commission President has a real choice.

Informally, the EC expects a woman to be the next European Commissioner from Bulgaria. Preferably from the EPP, the Capital weekly writes. This could be a valid criterion when lining up guests at an event and wondering who to put next to whom. However, it could hardly be a basic mechanism for filling one of the key seats on the EC roundtable. Once again we see chaotic movements, guided by the wishes of Brussels, and the fulfilment of some pro forma criteria.

Following the submission of the two nominations at the end of the week, the President of the European Commission will interview them and name one to be heard and voted on in the European Parliament. The hearings are expected to start at the end of September.

Ognian Zlatev, senior expert at the European Commission's DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, told the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) that professional experience is taken into account, but what matters more is to what extent a candidate matches the stated political priorities. Some of the existing portfolios will be redefined and there will be new ones.

MRF ACTION

All media on Friday cover the latest developments in the rift within the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). The police presence in front of Ahmed Dogan's residences in Rosenets and Boyana has been increased. For hours MRF activists stayed in front of the residences in Boyana and Rosenets Park in support of the Movement's founder and honorary chairman Ahmed Dogan.

The tension came after former transport minister and former partner of Dogan, Danail Papazov, said he was the owner of the properties and demanded that Dogan leave them. In the morning the situation is calm, but the police presence is stronger than on Thursday.

Hours later, MRF activists began gathering in front of the mansion in Boyana, where Dogan has lived for years, saying that an act of arbitrariness had been committed by unknown people who entered the property and could have brought anything in or out. The defenders asked the institutions to intervene. Police officers also entered the property but gave no information as to what exactly was going on.

MRF activists loyal to Dogan spent last night in front of the Rosenets residence near Burgas, where the movement's honorary chairman is currently staying. Supporters and sympathisers of Dogan came from Smolyan, Kardzhali, Varna, Yambol and Sliven. They said they were worried about their leader's life and health, the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported.

“At the moment we have no reliable information from a competent authority to explain what is happening inside. The only information we have is from our staff who were shown out by a group of heavyset fellows. At the moment, we are completely in the dark - who went in, who sent them, what they brought in, with what intentions," MP Timur Halilov told BNR after spending the night in Boyana alongside other members and supporters of the MRF who gathered to defend Ahmed Dogan's property in the capital's district.

"More people are coming all the time. We will stand here until this matter is resolved. Until we remove this gross encroachment," Halilov said, adding that this is invasion of private property.

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Capital catalogues the developments that led to this move. Two days after the MRF leadership expelled Delyan Peevski and seven of his cronies in the party on Ahmed Dogan's proposal, Peevski struck back. Danail Papazov, Dogan's ex-partner in the Varna TPP, sent a letter to certain media urging the honorary chairman to leave the two residences he has inhabited for years. Papazov, who was transport minister of the Plamen Oresharski government (2013–2014), stated that Dogan neither owns nor represents the companies (Hermes Solar and Delta Epsilon, of which Papazov is the representative and ultimate beneficiary through the Sigda company); he has nothing to do with the companies' properties nor does he have a contract to use them.

Through a series of transactions, Dogan's shares in the Varna TPP were transferred to Papazov's Sigda,; and the residence in Rosenets and Otmanli Village, a subsidiary of the Varna TPP subsidiary, were transferred to his Sigda Property firm. Papazov also removed Dogan from the TPP's board of directors and discharged him from the management of Electric Security, another subsidiary of the Varna TPP.

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Commenting on the scandal over the two residencies, Ruslan Stefanov, Chief Economist of the Center for the Study of Democracy, told BNR that someone is trying to bring private relationships into the public domain and present them as an attack on a political figure. Such attempts are made when there are tensions over hidden economic ties.

THE MRF RIFT

The Capital weekly has a story ("Dogan vs Peevski: The Latest Round") on the expulsion of Peevski and seven high-ranking MRF functionaries. This move does not put an end to the dispute between Dogan and Peevski, nor is it a guarantee that the latter will be removed from the MRF. The case is likely to be resolved in court where Peevski seems to believe he commands an advantage. A few major questions arise in the context of the upcoming elections, concerning the registration of party lists with the constituency election commissions by September 24 and the opening of a bank account for the elections. It seems increasingly likely that both MRF wings, led by Chairman Dzhevdet Chakarov and by Delyan Peevski, may run in the elections using the registrations of other parties.

The Capital weekly reproduces a commentary by lawyer Mihail Ekimdzhiev on BNR. In his view, the issue of Peevski's expulsion will most likely be resolved in court. "Everybody is aware of Peevski's long-lasting unsavoury relationship with the administrative leadership and staff of the Supreme Administrative Court, which has been an appendage of the backstage, mostly personified by Peevski and Borissov, for at least 10 years." The lawyer says he is "sure that a helpful judge will be found who will accept that the clause of the [MRF] statute which entitles the honorary chairman [Dogan] to make such decisions alone, violates the Constitution, the basic principles of democracy and the law."

POLITICS

Trud and 24 Chasa quote GERB leader Boyko Borissov as telling regional governors and mayors elected on the party's ticket that the largest political force, GERB-UDF, "is staying away from the government". "When GERB is in office, we must be responsible through our ministers," he said. GERB will conduct "a policy of creation" by focusing on its strong points: infrastructure, connectivity between cities, the toll system and motorways. With NATO's support, an oil pipeline must be built in the Black Sea, Borissov said. Commenting on the lack of water service in maнy settlements, he said it should be decided if the state derives enough benefits from the water power plants, many of which are privately owned, since they drain dams that are used for drinking water. 24 Chasa highlights GERB's plans to introduce a barrier toll system for motorways modelled on Bulgaria's neighbours, with vignettes being used for Class 2 and 3 roads.

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The Capital weekly runs an article titled “The CC-DB Boat Is Rocking”

The members of the coalition - CC, Yes, Bulgaria! and Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) - have been holding final talks about their participation in the elections and, not for the first time, serious tensions have arisen between them. The reason now is that one of the parties in the alliance - Yes, Bulgaria! - is proposing to sign a new coalition agreement that clearly defines the structure and the way of joint decision-making in the coalition. 

They also insist the coalition should start an honest dialogue with the voters about the possible formulas for the formation of a pro-European, anti-corruption and reformist majority and government in the next parliament. Yes, Bulgaria! hint that if their proposals are not accepted, they might reconsider staying in the coalition.

The leaders of CC and DSB view the threat by Yes, Bulgaria! to leave the coalition as a bid to better position itself in the arrangement of the lists. At the same time, they do not believe that their coalition partner will risk to be left out of the next parliament. Dobromir Zhivkov, Director of the Market Links polling agency, approves of the idea of a coalition council that will iron out differences and will ensure structured decision-making. The coalition should also position itself "clearly enough in terms of values" and should be "more consistent in its political actions".

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Atanas Zafirov, acting chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), says in a 24 Chasa interview that Korneliya Ninova, who resigned as leader, has lost the moral right to lead the party with her actions against the party's unity and worthy representation in the elections. Zafirov says the lists of the future left-wing coalition will be arranged by the BSP National Council.

Tatyana Doncheva from the Left coalition told BNR Korneliya Ninova had put clauses in the BSP statute which perpetuate her position.

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In a Trud analysis, Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova, a constitutional law expert, theorizes on political developments in Bulgaria in the last two months, comparing their dramatic nature to Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols and Wagner's Götterdämmerung. The internal dramas in the political parties before the October 27 elections will keep Bulgarians in suspense at least until September 24, when the candidate lists in the constituencies must be completed. The author expects to see ethical, administrative and judicial aspects of the political drama. Still, the snap elections will shatter several myths and "the sunset of party deities will begin". There will be "ugly scenes as we will see that neither Dogan is so cunning, nor Peevski so omnipotent, nor Ninova so altruistic, nor her former deputies so weak, nor the right wing so democratic, nor the fledgling media projects so patriotic".

GOVERNANCE

Friday’s government meeting, the first after the second Glavchev caretaker cabinet took office, will adopt a decision on the preparation and holding of the National Assembly elections on October 27. 

The coordinator for the elections will be the Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov. “I believe that he will carry out a good dialogue with the Central Election Commission, which is the basis for well-run elections," Glavchev said, according to 24 Chasa.

The budget for the early parliamentary elections is also expected to be adopted. BGN 120 million have been secured for the purpose, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said.

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Friday's media report that Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov will participate in the informal meeting of his EU counterparts to discuss increasing aid to Ukraine.

The meeting is being held against the backdrop of a call by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, for Ukraine's allies to lift restrictions on striking targets in Russia with weapons they have provided.

Bulgaria's latest decision was to send unserviceable, obsolete or surplus portable anti-aircraft missile complexes and anti-aircraft missiles. At the time, the ministry pointed out that Bulgaria had not set specific conditions prohibiting Ukraine’s use of the equipment on targets in Russia.

This country has specified that the assistance must be used in compliance with established UN norms, and that the systems are incapable of striking military targets in Russia from the defensive positions of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The defence ministers will also hold talks with Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov.

Topics of discussion will include the strengthening of the EU's defence preparedness, challenges in the Red Sea, the Middle East and North Africa. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will also attend the meetings.

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Gendarmerie Chief Dimitar Andonov received a dismissal order on Thursday, Nova TV and Dnevnik report. So far, the motives for his release are unknown.

Acting Interior Ministry Secretary-General Dimitar Kangaldzhiev was dismissed on Thursday at the request of new caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov. In addition, two of former Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov's deputies, Stoyan Temelakiev and Hristo Stefanov, were also dismissed.

ECONOMY

In its cover story, the Capital weekly asks where Bulgaria's water has gone. The hot, dry summer and water rationing have once again brought to the fore the inefficient management of the water system. Climate change notwithstanding, more than 60% of water is wasted in the vast network. Data of the Regional Development Ministry show water supply is disrupted in 356 settlements in over 100 municipalities and 22 regions, including 15 cities and towns such as Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Lovech, Burgas, Sliven and Blagoevgrad, among others. The lack of water resources in many countries is a national security issue that can cause problems along the chain of population, energy, agriculture and industry. In Bulgaria with its short-lived parliaments, however, solving such long-term problems is not among the priorities.

Although Bulgaria has relatively good freshwater resources compared to other European countries, mainly because of the Danube, they are unevenly distributed across the country and by season. Total water reserves will drop as rainfall decreases by 15% by 2050 and by 30-40% by 2080. According to the World Bank's 2015 report, about BGN 12 billion in the next 10 years, or BGN 1.2 billion per year, are needed in investments to bring the water sector up to EU standards, said Gancho Dimitrov, Supervisory Board Chairman of Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding. The total investment in 10 years is about BGN 4.5 billion, so the underfunding is about BGN 7.5 billion. A sizable increase in EU and national funding until the end of 2029 gives grounds for optimism.

A separate story sums up the problems as follows: Leaks of more than 70% of water in some water companies lead to big losses and high costs. The problems are obsolete pipes, insufficient investment and water theft. The solutions are urgent measures to cut losses, heavy investment in the network, and price hikes.

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Most hospitals have exceeded their limits for admission and treatment of patients, the Capital weekly says. In early September, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will have to dip into the operating reserve to pay hospitals which have overrun the limits. The NHIF has budgeted over BGN 3.57 billion for hospital treatment this year - the largest single allocation in a total budget of BGN 8.1 billion. Each hospital has a monthly, quarterly and annual limit on the funds it gets from the NHIF. In the first quarter of the year, 280 out of 365 hospitals exceeded their limit by over BGN 63 million, according to NHIF data. At the same time, the utilization rate of 50,000 beds in June was just 54.90%. 

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24 Chasa writes that in contrast to the euro area countries with their meagre 0.3% growth, businesses and consumers in Bulgaria see no trace of a crisis. The National Statistical Institute reported a 0.5 percentage point increase in the total business climate indicator from July. A consumer attitudes survey released in early August found that Bulgarians are ready to spend freely. Consumer confidence in July hit a 23-year high and was the highest ever since such surveys began in 2001. While 17% of Bulgarians aged 18 or over rated their household's financial situation as poor in January, only 6.4% did so in July. The attitude to spending on major purchases was also upbeat: just 13.7% of Bulgarians do not intend to buy a car or a home, make major home repairs or save money in the next year.

ENERGY SNIFF

Various female singers have lately garnered attention by showing how to snort energy powder, eerily similar to drug use. The issue of advertising harmful products and patterns of behaviour is an important one. Can it be regulated?

"Yes, because we can see that in recent years, in Bulgaria, too, people who are popular on social networks, popular especially among the young, adolescents and other vulnerable groups of consumers, are being used to advertise products and services, including the behaviour of these so-called influencers or influential personalities. Self-regulation of what this popular personality will allow themself to do is also very important, but we can see that this cannot be relied on alone," Gabriela Rumenova from the Nie, Potrebitelite consumers’ rights platform said on BNT’s morning show.

According to her, there should be a legal framework, similar to that in other European countries, a special law for influencers that would regulate the rules for carrying out this activity.

Nova TV reports that over 150 outlets were inspected Thursday on the Health Ministry's orders. Experts from the Regional Health Inspectorate, the Consumer Protection Commission and representatives of the Ministry of the Interior searched where the energy powders advertised by a popular singer were sold. The quantities found were seized.

RIVERS OF SOFIA

The fourth edition of The Rivers of Sofia fest starts Friday and will last until Sunday, Dnevnik and others report. This year the festival is in a new location near the Duck Lake in the South Park.

The event includes over fifty different cultural events and spaces. One of the highlights is the "Rivers of the City 2050" exhibition, which will present visions for the future of urban rivers.

This year, in addition to a cultural programme with music, art installations, creative workshops and events for children, a conference on the future of the Perlovska River will also be held. It will focus on the development of the capital's famous river and will take place Friday at 1 pm at the Toplocentrala cultural venue.