site.btaMedia Review: Dec. 23

POLITICS

Continue the Change (CC) expects the Renew Europe in the European Parliament to exclude the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), BNR and other media report. The decision should be voted on January 14. On Sunday, CC circulated a position in which they expressed satisfaction with the decision of the leadership of Renew Europe to recommend the termination of MRF’s membership in the group.

According to CC, such a step against MRF is a direct result of the actions of Delyan Peevski, who is subject to sanctions under the US Magnitsky Act and the British RICO Act.

On December 22, the National Conference of MRF elected Delyan Peevski as Chairman of the Movement. A total of 544 delegates unanimously voted for him.

The conference also adopted a new statute, which removes the figure of "honorary chairman" and establishes a new youth organization. A new Central Council and Central Operations Bureau were also voted in.

From Burgas, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) leader Dzhevdet Chakarov, together with supporters of the current honorary chairman Ahmed Dogan, commented:

"We will appeal the legitimacy of the current gathering. The deletion of the honorary chairman in the statutes of the MRF also means the deletion of the timeless values and strategic goals of our party."

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"MRF - New Beginning is politically literate in terms of organization and communication. I will not be surprised if it achieves a higher result in new elections. The turnout should also be higher," journalist Kalina Krumova said on the air of Nova TV.

Journalist Lyudmil Iliev, in turn, said that the conference did not go in the best way for Peevski. "It does not bode well for the future of his party. He achieved what he aspired to - to single-handedly lead the political force. However, the way the other parties and their partners outside the country reacted shows that he is in complete isolation. Almost the entire diplomatic corps was absent from the forum. None of the leading political parties sent representatives – this is unprecedented for the MRF. It is now evident why Peevski wants new elections - to use the momentum created by the MRF - New Beginning in the last elections," Iliev said.

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Liberal International is launching a procedure to review the membership of the MRF, according to the press centre of Ahmed Dogan’s coalition Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), BNR reports. The article says that Liberal International notes with concern the change in the character of MRF after a recent court decision which enabled the hostile takeover of the party by Delyan Peevski.

Liberal International points out that Peevski has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the United States under the global Magnitsky Act for corruption and expresses concern that by convening a party congress, he has completed the hostile takeover of the party by excluding members close to party founder and Medal of Liberalism winner Ahmed Dogan.

The ALDE party will take steps to expel the MRF under Peevski's leadership from the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. The Liberal International Bureau's decision is in line with Article 8 of the Liberal International's statutes - the status of MRF as a full member of the Liberal International should be reviewed and, with a view to expulsion, the case should be discussed at the next meeting of the executive committee of the world federation in 2025.

DEFENCE

24 Chasa and other media report that the Ruse-Giurgiu ferry complex and the future third bridge over the Danube will be integrated into the military infrastructure of the strategic south-north corridor, according to an official reply of caretaker Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov to MP Martin Dimitrov.

Bulgaria is committed to the priority construction of key infrastructure projects along the south-north axis, which will receive EU funding in the next programming period, Minister Zapryanov said.

The Ministry of Defence stresses that military mobility is a key priority in the cooperation between the European Union and NATO. The main objective is to ensure fast and efficient movement of troops and equipment in different scenarios - from routine activities to potential conflicts, including NATO and EU assistance in case of military aggression against Bulgaria.

ECONOMY

There is no solution to the lack of staff at the winter resorts without bringing in labour from abroad, caretaker Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev told BNT. He stressed that a big problem in the Pamporovo resort in the Rhodopes is the lack of parking spaces, which limits even the access of ambulances. A working committee between the institutions is to discuss the change of the resort's master plan. However, the Minister expressed hope that the season would be strong for the resort given the excellent winter conditions.

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The increase in electricity prices for households in Bulgaria planned for 2025 will be about 9%, according to an announcement of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, Nova TV reports. The higher bills are due to the higher consumption in the country since the beginning of the cold season. The final decision on exactly how much the price will increase will be made on January 1.

ENERGY

The repair of the second hydro unit of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant has been completed, bTV reports. A specially developed innovative solution for modification of the turbine part was applied, the Ministry of Energy said. Minister Vladimir Malinov will inspect the facility on Monday. Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev has also been invited to attend.

After successful tests and trials, the facility will be put into operation in early 2025. Hydro unit 3 of the plant is to be rebuilt using the same method. For the other two, the first and fourth, the National Electric Company (NEK) has announced a procedure for their complete replacement.

The inclusion of the Chaira power plant in the energy system will ensure the balance of the country's electricity system, the Energy Ministry pointed out.

ANIMAL RIGHTS

A protest rally in front of the Sofia Municipality demands the admission of volunteers in municipal animal shelters, BNT reports. The gathered animal advocates claim that the conditions in the shelters are appalling.

"The dogs there are destitute in the cold and eat each other, there is not enough food, staff or medical care. In the last two weeks alone, four dogs have died," a protester said.

Demonstrators are demanding immediate action. During the holidays the shelter will be closed and the dogs will be alone. According to the protesters this is unacceptable. They want the resignation of the shelter’s acting director.