site.btaMedia Review: October 8

THE HEADLINES

All dailies cover the inspection of the Bulgaria-Turkiye border barrier by caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, who, alongside senior officials, assessed compromized sections and evaluated the need for additional video surveillance.

Stanimir Mihaylov’s reinstatement as governor of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) after a Constitutional Court ruling also dominates the headlines.

BULGARIA'S OCT. 27 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Trud writes that sources within Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) have confirmed they are open to forming a cabinet with GERB-Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), with informal support from Delyan Peevski's Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)-New Beginning, despite previous opposition. The negotiations are expected to be challenging, with Democratic Bulgaria more open to dialogue than Continue the Change. Although internal divisions exist, the coalition is considering accepting MRF-New Beginning votes to form a government, as long as Peevski's associates do not officially join the coalition, which remains a firm "red line" for many within CC-DB.

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Sega, Mediapool.bg and bTV report that the Ministry of Interior is investigating the election registration of a political party and has detained ten individuals in Sofia for vote-buying. Seven pre-trial proceedings are underway, and the party under investigation, which is not part of the current Parliament, allegedly submitted false documents for the October 27 elections.

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and bTV reported that, in addition to the ten individuals detained for vote-buying in Sofia's Hristo Botev borough, the operation led by the Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior also targeted conventional crime and domestic issues. During the operation, 12 people were detained for drug-related offenses, and police seized small quantities of drugs, weapons, and precious metal jewellery from multiple residences in an ongoing investigative effort.

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Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and BNR reported that three individuals were arrested in the region of Burgas, on the Black Sea, for vote trading during a police operation. The arrests occurred in three different municipalities where police discovered notebooks with lists of names and amounts linked to a vote-buying scheme. The detainees had no prior criminal records. The police believe votes were traded for BGN 100-150 each, with payments tied to open lines of credit and debt forgiveness in small local retail outlets and quick loan businesses.

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BNR also reported on the ongoing mass replacements of Section Election Commission members in the region of Veliko Tarnovo, Northcentral Bulgaria. One political party has already replaced all its representatives in Suhindol, the region's smallest municipality. The Veliko Tarnovo constituency election commission has replaced 90 chairpersons, secretaries, and members, accounting for 5% of election bodies, with further requests for replacements expected due to outdated initial lists. The commission anticipates surpassing the 2021 record of 21% replacements by October 27, despite increased remuneration and compensation for mandatory training.

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In Nova TV's morning talk show, featured sociologist Elena Darieva and political analyst Georgi Harizanov discussed voter attitudes and the election campaign. Darieva said that the campaign is demoralizing voters, with tensions particularly high among the MRF electorate, and noted that the focus on controlled voting is becoming counterproductive. Harizanov noted that vote-buying has reduced voter turnout among Bulgarians, blaming politicians for the electorate's lack of enthusiasm.

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Duma reports that MP Dzheyhan Ibryamov, a candidate for the upcoming elections from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, which is a coalition including members of a MRF faction supporting the party's Honorary Chair Ahmed Dogan, remains in custody following a Sofia City Court ruling, pending trial on charges of influence peddling. Ibryamov, detained with marked banknotes totalling BGN 100,000, is accused of promising to lobby for public contracts in exchange for money intended for vote-buying. His detention has sparked protests, including a hunger strike by his wife and a demonstration led by Ahmed Dogan, Honorary Chair of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), who denounced the detention as a violation of democracy and justice. The Central Election Commission (CEC) noted that removing a candidate's immunity does not prevent their participation in the election campaign. Meanwhile, the prosecution is investigating 28 pre-trial cases related to vote-buying.

POLITICS

Sega covers the unresolved inquiry into whether the Sofia City Prosecution Service has launched an investigation following a complaint by Lena Borislavova and Yavor Bozhankov from Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) against MPs from There is Such a People (TISP) and Vazrazhdane [Revival]. The complaint stems from these MPs disrupting the final parliamentary session on September 26. The disruption blocked legislative proceedings, including the adoption of the Roadmap for Climate Neutrality. CC-DB accused these MPs of using force, damaging National Assembly equipment, and violating parliamentary procedures, potentially committing offenses such as coercion, hooliganism, and sabotage. The prosecution service has yet to respond to the inquiry.

BORDER INSPECTION

Trud, Dnevnik, Telegraph, 24 Chasa, BNT, BNR, Nova TV, bTV, Sega, and Mediapool.bg cover the inspection of the Bulgaria-Turkiye border barrier by caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and senior officials from his caretaker cabinet, including Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov. The inspection focused on assessing the condition of the barrier and determining the need for additional video surveillance. Daily inspections and repairs are being conducted to maintain the barrier, and a contract to expand surveillance is expected shortly. Border Police efforts have reduced migration pressure by 71%, with over 44,000 illegal entry attempts prevented since January 2024. Plans for further upgrades and recruitment to bolster staffing were also highlighted.

ECONOMY

Dnevnik and BNT report that the European Commission has expressed impatience with Bulgaria over delays in implementing the Recovery and Resilience Plan. During a meeting with European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova confirmed that the caretaker government will push for the National Assembly to discuss and approve necessary amendments to the plan. Gentiloni emphasized the importance of maintaining financial stability as Bulgaria works toward joining the eurozone.

On September 26, the National Assembly's session was disrupted by MPs from There is Such a People (TISP) and Vazrazhdane [Revival], who blocked the podium to prevent the discussion of the energy commission's climate neutrality report, which included a BGN 500 million allocation for coal mine reclamation. This led to Parliament going into a pre-election recess on September 27 without addressing key reforms on climate neutrality, anti-corruption, and electricity market liberalization, delaying Bulgaria's next payment of BGN 1.277 billion. BNT only provided a short summary of the meeting, while Dnevnik provides detailed background coverage.

BNR also reported on the meeting between Petkova and Gentiloni, but the coverage focused on Petkova's assurance that the draft budget for 2025 will have a deficit of up to 3% of GDP. The two discussed the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the proposed amendments to the plan, and the REPowerEU chapter. Petkova said that the caretaker government will push for parliamentary approval of the changes to avoid the risk of Bulgaria losing billions in funding.

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Trud reports on the high unemployment rates affecting 36 municipalities in Bulgaria, where more than 20% of the population is jobless. The municipalities of Dimovo and Makresh in the region of Vidin (on the Danube) are particularly concerning, with unemployment rates of 61.43% and 68.73%, respectively. Although Bulgaria's overall unemployment rate was low at 5.4% in the second quarter of 2024, other regions like Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria, Vratsa, Northwestern Bulgaria, and Shumen, Northeastern Bulgaria also have troubling figures, with several municipalities experiencing unemployment rates above 30%. This information was provided by Minister of Innovations and Growth Rosen Karadimov in response to a question from Member of Parliament Petar Petrov from Vazrazhdane [Revival].

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Trud writes that Bulgarians are earning over BGN 100 million each month from gambling, and the total bets from January to August 2024 amount to approximately BGN 1.8 billion, according to data from the National Revenue Agency. The gambling industry continues to grow, and spending is expected to exceed the BGN 2.6 billion recorded in 2023. Online gambling remains the leading sector, with online operators paying BGN 139 million in fees during the first eight months of 2024. Additionally, more than 44,000 people have registered as vulnerable to gambling, marking a 58% increase from last year. This increase highlights growing concerns about the social impact of gambling addiction. These individuals are prohibited from participating in gambling activities under current regulations.

Gambling is emerging as a major economic contributor, with state revenues from the industry approaching BGN 270 million by August 2024. However, the social consequences are clear, as many individuals turn to gambling for quick financial fixes, jeopardizing their financial well-being. The growing number of at-risk individuals underscores the rising issue of gambling addiction in the country. Consumer spending on gambling is at really high levels, approaching levels competing with state budget allocations for crucial sectors such as culture, sports, and even the judiciary.

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Dnevnik, Telegraph, BNT, and Nova TV report that the Federation of Transport Trade Unions (FTTU) is threatening protests if their demands for salary increases and a bonus system for municipal transport workers are not met. The protest action follows a meeting with Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev on October 4, which ended without a resolution. During the meeting, the FTTU urged the implementation of the agreed-upon bonus system for 2024, a 15% salary increase starting in 2025 to align with the anticipated minimum wage increase, and the prompt payment of state funds owed to the municipality. The FTTU has planned organized protests after the snap parliamentary elections on October 27, if no action is taken.

Nova TV interviewed Aleksandar Shopov, FTTU Chair, who spoke about the union's demands. When asked about the type of protest actions, he said: "We'll see how the protest actions will develop. We'll talk with colleagues about the possible forms they might take, whether that means blocking intersections or stopping public transport. We haven't decided yet."

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BNR, bTV and Mediapool report that the government has allocated an additional BGN 200 million for "Ukrainian aid" to farmers in 2024, following threats of protests from agricultural organizations. The funds will support primary agricultural production, including livestock breeders and producers of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Of the total, BGN 100 million will go to these farmers, while another BGN 100 million will be directed to grain and oilseed producers. This allocation is part of the second tranche of state aid, which follows the approximately BGN 300 million disbursed earlier this year to support over 51,000 producers affected by the economic impact of the war in Ukraine.

BNT also covered the story and reported that the news of the approved BGN 200 million for farmers came after agricultural industry organizations, including grain producers, sheep farmers, and organic producers, threatened protests due to delays in the second tranche of Ukrainian aid. Payments, originally expected by September 30, had been postponed for the fifth time, prompting frustration within the sector.

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Nova TV aired an interview with Nikolay Valkanov, Executive Officer at the Association of Modern Trade, discussing the preparation of major retail chains for the transition from BGN to EUR. Valkanov spoke of ongoing discussions with government agencies and regulators to manage dual pricing, receipt labelling, and other technical aspects of the currency switch. He noted that dual price labels are expected to roll out in March 2025, depending on the official transition date. He also said that inflation remains the final criterion for Bulgaria’s positive convergence report and raised concerns about increased banking fees for electronic food vouchers, which now represent 8-9% of retail food and beverage sales, and proposed solutions to regulate these costs.

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Telegraph publishes an interview with caretaker Minister of Tourism, Evtim Miloshev, who reports a 25% increase in tourism revenue compared to 2019, despite challenges like rising costs, staff shortages, and the loss of key foreign markets. He says that the tourism sector is recovering well post-pandemic, with growth in tourist registrations and overnight stays, thanks to the combined efforts of the industry and state support.

Miloshev notes that beach inspections during the 2024 summer season found very few violations and spoke of the importance of developing a long-term strategy to tackle staffing shortages in the sector, especially concerning lifeguards and medical personnel.

In the realm of tourism promotion, Bulgaria allocates an annual advertising budget of BGN 14 million, concentrating on key markets and organizing visits for foreign media. Miloshev notes the success of the Treasures of Bulgaria series, which attracted 216 million viewers worldwide, and effort to attract influencers from various countries, such as Spain and Italy.

Miloshev also talks about working with neighbouring countries like Turkiye to create joint tourism routes that showcase the historical and cultural heritage of the Balkans. He believes this will increase tourist numbers and improve visitor experiences, aided by improved transport links.

Regarding the staffing crisis, Miloshev mentions that although bringing in foreign workers can provide a temporary solution, the main objective should be to draw more Bulgarian workers into the industry. He proposes providing practical internships for students from vocational schools to better equip them for careers in tourism.

Finally, he discusses the proposed Guarantee Fund aimed at safeguarding consumers and businesses in the tourism sector. He acknowledges some resistance to the idea but stressed the importance of industry cooperation to bring the initiative to fruition.

HEALTHCARE

Dnevnik, 24 Chasa, BNT, BNR, and Mediapool cover Stanimir Mihaylov’s reinstatement as governor of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) after a Constitutional Court ruling.

24 Chasa and Sega write about the Supervisory Board of the NHIF convening an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to finalize the registration of Stanimir Mihaylov as NHIF director, following a Constitutional Court decision on September 24, 2024. The process will not affect the fund's operations or patient treatment, and payments to contractual partners will continue as planned. Mihaylov's early dismissal by Parliament was overturned by the Constitutional Court in September, and his full reinstatement is expected soon, despite previous delays.

24 Chasa and Mediapool add that this has sparked reactions, with Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) calling for the removal of Deputy Health Minister Petko Stefanovski, who questioned whether NHIF’s Supervisory Board should handle Mihaylov’s reinstatement.

BNT and Mediapool also publish a quote by Mihaylov, who says: "Justice has been restored. I am here to implement the Constitutional Court's decision and comply with the law."

RELIGION

Telegraph writes about the first online lecture in a series titled Introduction to Christianity, organized by Metropolitan of Western and Middle Europe Antoniy. The course, which aims to educate Bulgarians abroad on the Orthodox faith, will start on October 13, 2023, and continue bi-monthly on Sundays via Zoom. Zlatina Karavaltcheva will lead sessions on The Person of Jesus Christ, covering gospel portrayals and personal experiences of faith. The initiative, started during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to support Bulgarians abroad.