site.btaMedia Review: September 4

HEADLINES

The headlines on Wednesday were dominated by the news of the passing of esteemed journalist Ivan Garelov (81), who suffered a severe head injury in mid-July. Garelov had a five-decade career primarily with Bulgarian National Television (BNT), where he became known for hosting the political programme Panorama.

The announcement that Yes, Bulgaria! has decided to remain in the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition with partners Continue the Change (CC) and Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) for the upcoming snap parliamentary elections on October 27, despite internal disagreements and controversies over candidate selection criteria and coalition agreements, also dominated headlines.

On its front page, 24 Chasa reports on ongoing severe traffic congestion at the Kulata-Promachonas border crossing, with authorities stating that a resolution may require Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen Area or new infrastructure, such as the extended Struma Motorway.

Duma’s top story is the Bulgarian Socialist Party's (BSP) push for unity amid internal conflicts, following the expulsion of Korneliya Ninova, the outgoing chair. BSP is set to form a broader left-wing coalition, aiming to unite all left-wing forces for the upcoming elections.

Trud leads with an article about the sharp rise in electricity prices in Bulgaria, driven by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions, with the Energy Security Fund warning of further increases, while experts call for long-term energy contracts to stabilize the market amid broader structural challenges.

Telegraf reports that many Bulgarian pensioners are facing unexpected pension freezes, including protected amounts, due to banking secrecy, with cases doubling to over 7,500 in 2023 and address discrepancies complicating notifications.

POLITICS

bTV, 24 chasa, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), BNT, Dnevnik and Mediapool.bg reported on the decision of Yes, Bulgaria! to remain in CC-DB for the upcoming elections. This decision follows extensive discussions and meetings of the Yes, Bulgaria! national council, which focused on setting strategic goals, including regaining 100,000 of the 300,000 voters lost in the last elections and establishing the coalition as a reliable political force.

The party spoke of the need for reforms in candidate selection, advocating for preliminary elections, quality criteria for MPs, and the abandonment of party quotas. However, no agreement was reached on these proposed mechanisms, which caused internal debates. Tensions within the coalition escalated when Lena Borislavova, during an appearance on bTV, said that there was already an "approved draft coalition agreement" between Yes, Bulgaria!, Continue the Change, and Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria, including new mechanisms for collaboration and criteria for arranging candidate lists. Her assertion contradicted statements from Yes, Bulgaria! members, who claimed no agreement had been finalized, leading to accusations that Borislavova's comments undermined ongoing negotiations and added confusion to the coalition's internal dynamics.

The news media quote Bozhidar Bozhanov of Yes, Bulgaria! as saying in a post on social media that despite these unresolved issues, Yes, Bulgaria! decided to continue with the coalition to pursue a shared vision for a reformist, anti-corruption government and to strengthen Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic alignment. The coalition partners, including DSB, have also expressed their commitment to unity and a collaborative approach to overcoming the political crisis and ensuring a stable government. The decision to remain in the coalition shows the parties' dedication to maintaining a democratic alliance that promotes transparency and reform, with a focus on regaining voter trust and advancing common political objectives.

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BNT, Dnevnik, and Duma report the ongoing significant change and internal conflict in the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), after the expulsion of its outgoing chair, Korneliya Ninova, following her refusal to authorize the interim leadership to register the party's candidate lists for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Despite her expulsion, Ninova remains officially listed as the party's representative, complicating the registration process, with a court decision on this matter expected by September 9.

In its top story, Duma quotes BSP for Bulgaria floor leader Borislav Gutsanov, one of the outstanding members of the BSP acting leadership headed by Atanas Zafirov, as saying that "after more than a decade of division in the Left, there is a real chance for us to unite and run in the elections together".

BSP MP Dragomir Stoynev said on Nova TV (BNT and Dnevnik also have it) that the party would proceed with election registration under acting chair Atanas Zafirov, dismissing the idea of offering parliamentary seats to Ninova or her supporters to resolve the registration issues. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to form a broader left-wing coalition. BSP aims to unite all left-wing forces for the upcoming elections, moving past internal conflicts and divisions that have persisted for over a decade.

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bTV and BNT reported on concerns surrounding the security and residency status of former honorary chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Ahmed Dogan. Timur Halilov, a member of Parliament who was expelled from the MRF parliamentary group by the Delyan Peevski faction, raised alarms over Dogan's lack of security protection following his removal from the mansion in the Boyana borough of Sofia, a property he had used for over 20 years.

Dogan has also been forced out of his other residence, in the seaside park of Rosenets.

An inspection by bTV confirmed that Dogan's personal belongings remain in locked rooms at the property, for which he pays approximately BGN 50,000 annually. Meanwhile, BNT reported that Dogan's security detail, provided by the National Service for Protection and the Ministry of Interior, was withdrawn following an investigation that found no credible security threats. Dogan's supporters have expressed concerns regarding media access to the property. The Sofia Regional Prosecution Service is currently investigating allegations of misconduct by the property owner.

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Trud reports on significant criticisms directed at the Central Election Commission (CEC) for causing confusion in the election process by failing to provide an option for the electronic submission of registration documents and for accepting documents from two factions of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) without issuing the required entry number. This action has been viewed as a breach of the CEC's mandate to operate as an objective and independent body under the Election Code. Constitutional law professor Plamen Kirov argues that this delay may impact political parties' ability to rectify any document deficiencies within the limited registration period, creating potential advantages for certain parties.

According to Trud, concerns have also been raised regarding the registration of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). While Korneliya Ninova is still officially recognized as the party's representative, she and several associates were expelled from BSP by its National Council, leading to disputes over who is authorized to submit registration documents. Both Ninova's group and acting chair Atanas Zafirov are gathering signatures for separate registrations, while awaiting a Supreme Court of Cassation ruling on the matter. Legal experts speak of a legislative gap that allows any party representative to register candidate lists without a national body's decision, adding to the ongoing uncertainty.

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Mediapool.bg and Telegraf report on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's meetings with Bulgaria's candidates for European Commissioner, Ekaterina Zaharieva (nominated by GERB) and Julian Popov (nominated by CC-DB), in Brussels on Tuesday. The meetings were held separately and privately. Bulgaria remains the only EU country that has adhered to the requirement of nominating both a male and a female candidate for the position, following the expiration of the deadline at the end of August. An official decision from von der Leyen is expected by the end of the week.

TRANSPORTATION

24 chasa reports on the severe traffic congestion at the Kulata-Promachonas border crossing between Bulgaria and Greece, which persists despite efforts to improve the situation. The delays, often hours long, have been worsened by the growing number of vehicles, especially during peak periods, such as long weekends in September. Authorities are exploring temporary measures, such as differentiated lanes for EU and non-EU vehicles and simplified checks, to speed up crossings, but a full resolution seems unlikely without Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen Area or additional road infrastructure. Recent court rulings have cleared the way for the continuation of the Struma Motorway through the Kresna Gorge, which could alleviate some congestion in the future.

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BNR and Dnevnik report on Bulgaria facing strong criticism for border management issues during a meeting of the Union of Black Sea Transport Associations in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Bulgaria was criticized by representatives from Turkiye, Greece, and two major international transport organizations, the International Road Transport Union and the Union Of Road Transport Associations In The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Region, for reinstating vehicle disinfection at the Lesovo and Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoints without valid reasons or notice, leading to increased costs and delays. The criticism towards Bulgaria is of double standards and discriminatory practices regarding fees for parking and disinfection. In response, Turkiye and Greece announced their intention to find an alternative transport corridor that bypasses Bulgaria, the media writes.

HEALTHCARE

bTV, BNT, and Mediapool.bg reported on the ongoing implementation and promotion of Bulgaria's electronic health records (eHealth) system. The system aims to provide citizens with easier access to their health data via a mobile application, which can now be accessed without an electronic signature. The Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign, including registration points in major cities and mobile teams in public areas, to assist citizens in linking their health records to their mobile phones.

However, there are concerns about the system's functionality. bTV mentioned mixed experiences with the app, such as missing information on vaccinations. Meanwhile, BNT noted that personal doctors still lack access to a centralised system for viewing their patients' records, and there have been delays in granting this access despite political promises. Mediapool.bg covered the government's efforts to promote the app, with activities involving mobile teams and volunteers to increase public awareness and engagement.

ECONOMY

Trud reports on a steep rise in electricity prices in Bulgaria and across Europe, driven by geopolitical tensions, supply shortages, and market imbalances. The Energy Security Fund (ESF) warned that electricity bills for September could be significantly higher than forecasted, with prices reaching record levels, such as BGN 1,858 per megawatt-hour in the Day-Ahead market. Analysts expect continued instability, with predictions of a 20% increase in electricity prices in the coming weeks.

Experts attribute the price surge to the conflict in Ukraine, where Russian attacks have disrupted key energy routes, forcing Ukraine to rely on imports through Romania and Bulgaria. This disruption, combined with the lack of operational hydropower plants and balancing capacities, has left Bulgaria reliant on its coal-fired power plants to meet demand, despite prior commitments to phase them out under EU regulations. The situation has turned Bulgaria from a major exporter to a net importer of electricity.

The Bulgarian Energy Forum has called for restoring platforms for long-term energy contracts to avoid further price spikes and stabilize the market. Meanwhile, the government has allocated BGN 245 million to compensate businesses and individual consumers for high energy costs, but these measures are seen as temporary relief amid broader structural challenges in the energy sector.

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Telegraf reports that numerous Bulgarian pensioners are discovering their pensions unexpectedly frozen, including those portions that are legally protected from seizure, equal to the minimum wage (BGN 933). Due to banking secrecy, bailiffs may freeze the entire pension without knowing its source, requiring pensioners to request the release of protected funds directly.

This issue has worsened in recent years, with the number of frozen pensions doubling to over 7,500 cases involving nearly BGN 2 million in 2023, despite increases in the minimum wage and pension amounts. Address discrepancies further complicate the timely notification of debtors about these freezes.

PASSING OF AN ESTEEMED JOURNALIST

The passing of esteemed journalist Ivan Garelov at the age of 81 garnered significant attention across all media outlets. Garelov succumbed to a severe head injury sustained in mid-July at the resort of Sveti Vlas where he was working on a new book. Initially treated in Burgas, he was later transferred to Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, where he remained until his death.

Garelov had a distinguished career spanning over five decades in Bulgarian journalism, primarily with BNT. He gained national recognition as the host of the political news programme "Panorama" from the 1980s to the 1990s, where he became known for his catchphrase, "The time and place of the meeting are known." He also created and led the evening current affairs show "Team 4" and later worked with other media, including Nova TV and bTV. Throughout his career, Garelov produced notable documentary films, including one on Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge regime, and was a respected figure in Bulgarian-Greek relations, having interviewed numerous prominent Greek political and cultural figures.

Dnevnik writes about Garelov's past as an agent for the Committee for State Security (CSS), Bulgaria's communist-era secret service. The Commission on Dossiers revealed in 2008 that Garelov had been a full-time employee of CSS, and later served as a part-time operative under the pseudonym "Talev." Records also show he received payments for his activities. This aspect of his life has added complexity to his public legacy.

Garelov's death comes a year after the passing of his wife, Donka Stamboliyska. Bulgarian National Television and other media are honouring his legacy, highlighting his contributions to journalism and the impact of his work on Bulgarian society.