site.btaMedia Review: September 9

HEADLINES

Monday’s news media headlines were dominated by news on the dispute between the two Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) factions: Democracy, Rights and Freedoms-MRF and MRF-New Beginning (MRF-New Beginning). DRF, aligned with Ahmed Dogan, initially filed a complaint against the demand of the Central Election Commission (CEC) that DRF and MRF-New Beginning prove they are not linked to the MRF party, as election rules restrict a party to one coalition. DRF later submitted a request to withdraw the complaint, which now requires court authorization. Multiple media outlets reported that the Supreme Administrative Court has given DRF-MRF until 9:30 AM on September 9 to provide authorization for the withdrawal of their complaint. 

Trud’s front page features an article on the deepening water crisis with burst pipes and air in meters. Over 600 settlements in Bulgaria face water rationing, with losses up to 90% due to a deteriorating supply network.

24 Chasa's front page highlights a critical shortage of nearly 1,000 teachers across Bulgaria, particularly in mathematics, IT, biology, and chemistry, with around 200 vacancies in Sofia alone, forcing schools to rely on retirees and have teachers cover multiple subjects just days before the new school year.

Telegraf's front page exposes a widespread fraud in Bulgaria's annual vehicle technical inspections, where some drivers use borrowed cars or rented catalytic converters to manipulate inspection results, with false data being shared in closed online groups to avoid repairs and pass inspections.

Duma's front page focuses on the BSP's call for a unified water management authority to improve coordination among ministries. Deputy Floor Leader Ivan Ivanov urged swift approval of municipal water projects and better irrigation policies to help farmers facing drought.

POLITICS

Multiple media outlets covered GERB leader Boyko Borissov, who responded to recent political tensions and accusations surrounding the MRF and President Rumen Radev. Across various media outlets, Borissov spoke of GERB's readiness to govern and distanced himself from the ongoing disputes involving MRF leaders.

BNT reported Borissov's reluctance to make coalitions with smaller parties and remarks defending GERB's "tough decisions" with MRF, including Ukraine aid, constitutional changes, the state budget and decisions in the energy sector. Trud emphasizes Borissov's readiness to govern, dismissing the Radev-Peevski clash as irrelevant to GERB, and highlighting a focus on practical governance issues. Mediapool.bg runs an interview with  Ivaylo Mirchev of Yes, Bulgaria! who highlighted Borissov's avoidance of directly addressing the Peevski controversies and urged the GERB leader to take a clear stance on Peevski. BNR echoed Borissov dismissing the Radev-Peevski conflict and affirming GERB's readiness to govern.

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In an interview with MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk for BNR, Kyuchyuk questioned Delyan Peevski's MRF membership, calling it a "falsification". Kyuchyuk criticized the CEC refusal to register DRF, which he calls "a political force supported by 400,000 voters", and said that was a violation of citizens' constitutional rights. He argued that the MRF should not be solely blamed for the "Peevski phenomenon," as Peevski "is a product of Bulgaria's political system". He also expressed serious concerns about the independence of the Supreme Administrative Court, and suggested that it could be influenced by political forces. "I don't want to believe that the Supreme [Administrative] Court could be compromised in this way but if the information presented to Parliament is confirmed, this is alarming!" he said.

Kyuchyuk pointed out the need for the MRF to solve its internal problems and mentioned that Bulgaria may need to rely more on international partners to resolve core issues in its democratic processes.

Telegraf and Mediapool.bg also report Kyuchyuk's interview.

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In a Nova TV broadcast, journalists Silvia Velikova and Eduard Papazyan discussed the potential consequences of the MRF split. Velikova spoke of the ongoing power struggle between Dogan and Peevski, suggesting Peevski maintains leverage. Papazyan argued that President Rumen Radev is failing to unify the nation and is fostering political division. Both journalists agreed the upcoming October elections would be "really interesting".

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24 Chasa reports that President Radev criticizes the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the government for not taking a firm stance on the dispute between the two MRF factions, urging strict adherence to the Election Code. Delyan Peevski responded by accusing Radev of overstepping his powers and interfering in the electoral process, calling him a power-hungry leader who protects oligarchs and controls puppet governments. Peevski vows to expose Radev and any actions against Bulgaria's national interest, hinting at attempts by the presidential office to contact him.

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24 Chasa writes about Rise Up, Bulgaria! leader Maya Manolova, who expressed readiness to step back from the BSP candidates lists for the upcoming parliamentary elections in the name of compromise and fresh faces in the new left-wing coalition. Manolova said she would continue fighting for her causes and advocated for prioritizing young experts over party leaders' favourites. She also stated that the BSP should not collaborate with GERB or Delyan Peevski’s and Ahmed Dogan’s fractions of the MRF in the future parliament.

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Duma reports that Atanas Zafirov, acting chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), predicts the new BSP-United Left coalition will be a major surprise in the upcoming elections, likening it to the French left's success. Speaking on Eurocom, Zafirov says the coalition, which unites 15 left-wing parties with more expected to join, aims to provide an alternative focused on ordinary people and prioritizes policies over candidate lists. He rules out partnerships with radical or extreme factions.

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Trud reports on an interview with Associate Professor Ivan Kirilov Ivanov, a lecturer in political psychology, who discusses the deepening political crisis in Bulgaria, characterized by party splits and a lack of trust between political actors. Ivanov highlighted the failure of political parties to fulfil their core purpose and suggested that the current state of political affairs resembles a group regression, where emotional reactions dominate rational decision-making. He speaks of the need for political reform, greater internal party democracy, and the possibility of constitutional changes, such as moving towards a mixed electoral system or even convening a Grand National Assembly. Ivanov also predicts a fragmented future Parliament with seven or eight parties, influenced by the results of the U.S. presidential elections, which will shape Bulgaria's political landscape and coalition possibilities.

ECONOMY

BNT and BNR reported that Bulgaria and Germany signed a declaration on energy cooperation during the MENA-Europe Future Energy Dialogue 2024 forum in Thessaloniki. The agreement, signed by Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov and German Minister Robert Habeck, aims to expand partnerships in hydrogen technologies, renewable energy, and energy diversification. Malinov spoke of Bulgaria's role in energy supply diversification in Southeast Europe. He also held discussions with Greece's Energy Minister Theodoros Skylakakis on regional cooperation and with United Arab Emirates officials on strengthening energy transit dialogue.

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BNT also reported that more Bulgarians are using quick loans for consumer goods like holidays and electronics, rather than urgent needs like food or medical expenses, reflecting increased optimism about future incomes despite rising inflation. Economists Stoyan Panchev and Stoyne Vasilev noted that quick loans have surged to BGN 4.1 billion in the first half of the year, up 19% from last year. While wages have increased, economic growth has not kept pace, and the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, with employed Bulgarians benefiting more than the unemployed or pensioners.

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Trud reports that Bulgaria currently has the highest electricity prices in the European Union at EUR 158.58 per MWh, with the Electricity System Security Fund warning that the allocated compensation for non-household consumers may be insufficient due to a 30% price increase, potentially requiring an additional BGN 250 million, while the continuation of the compensation programme remains uncertain, pending European Commission approval and new calculations if operators are included.

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Trud also writes that political instability in Bulgaria has spurred entrepreneurial activity, with the number of non-financial enterprises reaching a record 461,800 in 2023, driven by reduced administrative pressure and easier business registration processes. Nearly 30% of these firms operate in retail and wholesale trade, and most are micro-enterprises with up to nine employees. While overall revenues in the sector grew, large enterprises faced significant drops due to lower electricity prices, while micro-enterprises saw slight gains. The data suggests that fostering a supportive business environment is key to sustaining economic growth and increasing incomes.

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BNR reported that the newly built waste processing facility near Radlovtsi, Kyustendil, has remained inactive since its opening last year due to ongoing legal disputes over selecting an operator. The facility, funded by the EU, is designed to handle 15,000 tonnes of household waste annually but faces delays as legal challenges continue. Meanwhile, waste is being transported to a landfill in Kostinbrod, over 70 km away, increasing costs for the Kyustendil Municipality.

CRIME

In a Dnevnik interview, Konstantin Simeonov, the lawyer of  businessman Rumen Gaytanski, says that Delian Peevski was behind his clinet's arrest. He claims that Peevski orchestrated Gaytanski's detention and connected the recent legal actions against his client to ongoing political conflicts, including the eviction of Ahmed Dogan from properties in Rosenets and Boyana. Simeonov argues that Gaytanski's arrest was politically motivated and that he is being held in inhumane condition. He also criticized the prosecution's handling of the case, suggesting it was influenced by external pressures and lacked substantial evidence linking Gaytanski to the alleged crimes. Gaytanski, in an open letter, denied any wrongdoing and attributed the charges against him to the current political climate.

WATER SHORTAGES

Trud reports on the worsening water crisis in Bulgaria, highlighting that over 600 settlements have their water supply rationed due to a deteriorating water supply network, with losses reaching up to 90% in some areas. The most affected regions are Targovishte, Haskovo, and Pernik. Former Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev calls for urgent measures to secure water supplies, stressing that the poor condition of the infrastructure and improper water management are to blame. Vatev criticizes the lengthy permit process for alternative water sources, such as drilling, and suggested prioritizing drinking water over other uses. The article also notes ongoing protests in Svishtov due to severe water shortages and warned of potential health risks due to contaminated water in some villages. The crisis continues to escalate, with numerous regions experiencing scheduled water outages and insufficient supply.

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Duma reports that BSP is calling for a unified body to manage water resources, citing a lack of coordination among various ministries. BSP for Bulgaria Deputy Floor Leader Ivan Ivanov highlights issues such as outdated water supply networks, the absence of a comprehensive water strategy, and the need for sanitary protection zones around drinking water reservoirs. He urges the swift approval of municipal projects and a review of irrigation facilities to address the ongoing water crisis, which has been worsened by drought and inadequate irrigation, severely affecting farmers.

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BNT reported that the Ministry of Environment and Water announced a significant decline in reservoir water levels, requiring the Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding and water operators to submit plans within two weeks for addressing the crisis, including network rehabilitation and alternative water supply proposals. A Ministry review showed critical drops in reservoirs like Kamchia, Yasna Polyana, and Ticha, with some 80% empty. Climatologist Simeon Matev noted that prolonged drought, high temperatures, and water scarcity mark this summer as one of the hottest on record, with 600 settlements already under water restrictions.

bTV reported that over 10,000 people in the northern Teteven area face a severe water shortage, with the situation worsening since August. Speaking to bTV, Teteven Mayor Madlena Boyadzhieva highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the water supply infrastructure. She said, though, that the situation is more complex than that due to unprecedented drought which has decimated the local water resources. The local authorities believe that building a new micro-reservoir could offer a solution.

EDUCATION

In a set of articles ahead of the September 15 start of the new school year, 24 Chasa writes that nearly 1,000 teachers are needed across Bulgaria, with a significant shortage in the exact sciences and after-school care. Asen Aleksandrov, chairman of the Union of Headteachers in Secondary Education, highlights that approximately 200 teachers are needed in Sofia alone, and around 1,000 across the country. Aleksandrov explains, "The problem arises when a colleague retires at the end of the school year. We can only announce vacancies at the end of August, leaving little time to find specialists by September."

Experts like Irina Radeva, head of the Regional Inspectorate of Education (RIE) in Varna, speak of the ongoing challenges in recruiting teachers, particularly for natural sciences, despite efforts to fill positions until the last moment. Radeva notes, "Half of the country is waiting for teachers in these subjects." Meanwhile, Nikola Zapryanov, head of the RIE in Smolyan, confirms a shortage of teachers in the region due to higher pay for these specialists in non-educational sectors. Despite a recent increase in teacher salaries to an average of 2,500 BGN, and additional bonuses for various roles, the demand for staff remains high in mathematics, IT, biology, and chemistry.

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Telegraf writes that with the first day of school approaching, a shortage of over 1,000 teachers, particularly in natural sciences, mathematics, and IT, continues to affect schools across Bulgaria. In the Montana region alone, about 40 teaching positions remain vacant, primarily in Bulgarian language, mathematics, and natural sciences. Trayka Traykova, head of RIE in Montana, notes that while there are candidates for these positions, the shortage remains a significant concern. Some schools, like the Forestry Vocational High School in Berkovitsa, have had to rely on retired teachers to fill gaps. Ivelina Yosifova, a new mathematics teacher at the Foreign Language High School in Montana, adds, "It is good to have more people wanting to become teachers and return to small towns because there is a real shortage of young teachers."

MILITARY

24 Chasa, Telegraf, and Trud report on Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov saying that while there are currently no plans to reinstate conscripted service, the topic could be revisited if the military does not attract enough people for professional military service through increased pay and other incentives. Zapryanov highlights the recent parliamentary decision to raise military salaries from 2025, which aims to boost recruitment and fill vacancies. He also notes that even countries reintroducing conscription are doing so voluntarily, reflecting a broader trend towards strengthening military capabilities amid heightened security concerns.