site.btaMedia Review: March 4

The main topics on Tuesday is U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine, the ensuing reactions in Bulgaria and the EU, the US tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico, gender equality at work on the eve of International Women’s Day (March 8), and the hearing in Parliament of the candidates to head the energy regulator.

WORLD POLITICS - BULGARIA

The news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine and the U.S. tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico dominate the world news headlines of Bulgarian media outlets on Tuesday.  

Bulgarian National TV leads with a story about how Bulgarian Prime Minister Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov is convening a meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday afternoon to review and analyze the current geopolitical situation and the resulting risks to national security. The news is covered by all major media.

Mediapool: U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily halted all military aid to Ukraine following a clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Fox News, Bloomberg, and numerous other American and global media outlets, citing a White House official.

"President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution," said the source, quoted by Reuters. The same statement has been cited by all other media outlets that reported the news, including the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, which referenced Bloomberg.

Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment, which was made outside of business hours.

Fox News cited another U.S. official who emphasized that this was a pause, not a permanent suspension of aid.

This move comes after Trump changed U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow - and following a heated confrontation with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, during which Trump criticized him for not being sufficiently grateful for Washington’s support in the war with Russia, Reuters noted.

On Monday, Trump once again stated that Zelenskyy should be more grateful for American support after earlier reacting angrily to an Associated Press article in which Zelenskyy was quoted as saying that the end of the war was "very, very far away."

“This is the worst statement Zelenskyy could have made, and America won’t tolerate it much longer!” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.

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NOVA TV leads with the EU’s reaction. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented a plan on Tuesday for the rearmament of the EU, which could reach EUR 800 billion over the next five years. "Europe is ready to take responsibility for its own defence," she said in a brief statement, after which she did not answer any journalists' questions.

Von der Leyen explained that she had sent the letter with her proposals to the heads of state and government of the EU countries on the eve of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. According to the proposal, EU countries will be exempted from budgetary expenditure requirements when investing in defence. It is proposed that countries have the freedom to reallocate funds from the EU cohesion funds so that they can be used for defence purposes. Von der Leyen suggests that EUR 150 billion be secured through loans for the supply of ammunition, air defense systems, missiles, and drones.

The EU is ready to significantly increase defence spending, including in support of Ukraine and due to the long-term need to take responsibility for its own security. “We live in dangerous times, and there is no need to describe the threats we face and what the consequences would be if they materialize," emphasized the President of the European Commission.

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bTV quotes U.S. Vice President JD Vance as telling Fox News that the best security guarantee for Ukraine would be for it to provide economic opportunities to the US. According to Vance, this would be a much better guarantee than having 20,000 soldiers from some random country. He also said that making a deal for Ukraine's rare earth minerals will allow the Americans to recoup part of the money they have invested in the country and will show the Ukrainians that the U.S. has a long-term investment interest in Ukraine.

He added that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate for peace, the door of U.S. President Donald Trump is open.

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Bulgarian National Radio quotes analyst and former diplomat Ilian Vassilev as saying that there is no room for neutrality in the Russia–Ukraine war. The situation is clear – either with Russia or with Europe. Here, some people imagine that they can establish special relations with Trump and hide their pro-Russian stance under the new Trumpism. This is very naive, because Trump cannot offer anything. He is in a new cycle of isolation, Vassilev said, against the backdrop of the failed negotiations between Ukraine and the USA, and the meeting of European leaders in London about Ukraine’s future, held without Bulgaria’s participation.

Vassilev added that for Europe to survive, it must mobilize its internal resources and consolidate. According to him, the real question is whether, in the process of consolidation, this country will take on a policy of retreat, “in which only we will think that we are neutral, while everyone else will place us in a camp close to Russia”.

He also emphasized that he does not understand what kind of peace the Bulgarian President and Defence Minister are imagining, as they have not defined it clearly.

"There is no way the struggle for peace could be about asking the attacked country to stop fighting, as if that alone would be enough for a ceasefire," Vassilev said.

According to him, Trump’s statement that he will lift the sanctions on Russia doesn’t matter much, because Europe is strengthening them.

“The sanctions that America can lift on its own don't really matter to Russia, as the largest part of the revenue Putin receives comes from Europe,” explained Vassilev.

He also noted that the suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine would not have an impact at least in the next six months.

He is adamant that Bulgarian politicians cannot interpret the fact that this country is not at the negotiation table in London, when an important part of Europe’s policy is being decided, with leniency.

“European identity is currently defined by the countries that gathered in London. With their decision on Ukraine, they are determining what the European position is.

The fact that there are countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and the Bulgarian President – this is not a European position. This is presented as a Trumpist position, but it is a pro-Russian position in favor of Putin and not a European one,” Vassilev noted.

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Dnevnik: U.S. President Donald Trump's new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, along with the doubling of tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%, marking the start of new trade conflicts with the three largest trading partners of the U.S., Reuters reported.

The tariffs, which could impact annual trade worth USD 2.2 trillion, were activated just minutes ago, hours after Trump announced that all three countries had not done enough to stop the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the United States.

Canada and Mexico, which had enjoyed nearly tariff-free trade relations with the U.S. for three decades, were prepared to retaliate immediately against their longtime ally.

ECONOMY – WOMEN – GENDER EQUALITY 

Trud: Working conditions for women in Bulgaria are among the worst in the EU, with the country ranking 10th from the bottom, scoring 7.25 out of 10. The low score is attributed to the small number of women in leadership positions, according to the 2025 analysis by Reboot Online. For the fifth consecutive year, ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, the agency has analyzed annual changes in leadership, employment growth, and gender equality.

The best working conditions for women are found in Lithuania and the Scandinavian countries, while women in Cyprus have the lowest chances of career success, according to Reboot Online's analysis, which also references last year's Gender Equality Index from the European Institute for Gender Equality.

Bulgaria scored 64.5 out of 100 points in the 2024 Gender Equality Index, which is 6.5 points lower than the EU average. The country ranks 17th in the EU, dropping one place compared to last year's index. Compared to 2021, Bulgaria’s overall score has decreased by 0.6 points, with the largest decline occurring in the category of "Power and Authority" (-3.9 points).

Bulgaria continues to be among the EU countries with the most pronounced gender inequality, with the biggest issues related to pay gaps and financial opportunities. In this category, Bulgaria scores 66.6 points, ranking last in the EU since 2017.

Since 2021, there has been an overall decline in gender equality, with the most significant deterioration in the "Power" category (-3.9 points), the second-largest decrease in this area in the EU. This has resulted in Bulgaria dropping three positions, now ranking 14th in the EU. According to the data, women in Bulgaria have limited access to leadership positions in the economy—such as executive directors and board members—compared to other EU member states.

Bulgaria ranks third in the EU in terms of women's risk of poverty—25%—which has increased by 3% since 2010 and by 1% since 2021. The risk of poverty for women is 6% higher than for men, one of the largest gender gaps in the EU, with only Latvia and Lithuania ranking higher.

The European Institute for Gender Equality Index reports that since 2023, the share of female ministers in Bulgaria has decreased from 37% to 33% in 2024. Regarding women's representation in parliament, they accounted for 24% of members in 2024. In municipal councils, women's representation is slightly higher at 27%. The report notes that Bulgaria does not have legally established quotas for candidates.

The share of women on the boards of the largest publicly traded companies has also declined from 19% in 2023 to 18% in 2024. Similarly, the percentage of women in the board of the central bank fell from 43% in 2022 to 29% in 2023, according to the Gender Equality Index.

At the same time, Reboot Online highlights positive examples—Lithuania is ranked as the best country in Europe for women to work in 2025, scoring 8.54 out of 10 in gender equality indicators. The country has recorded the highest growth in women in leadership positions over the past five years and has the most female CEOs in Europe in 2024. Norway ranks second, thanks to its large number of women in leadership positions, earning it a score of 7.78 out of 10. The Netherlands is in third place with a score of 8.54 out of 10, having the second-highest female employment rate in Europe after Iceland.

ENERGY REGULATOR – CANDIDATES

Capital: How will the work of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) change after the election of a new chair? What will happen with the liberalization of the electricity market, and how will the water supply and sewerage sector develop? Are changes expected in the natural gas market? These and many other questions were addressed in the concepts presented by the nominees for EWRC chair—Plamen Mladenovski (GERB-UDF) and Meglena Rusenova (Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria).

Their hearing before the Parliamentary Energy Committee took place at the end of last week, but their vision is crucial for the future development of the regulator. A common focus in both candidates' concepts was the independence and transparency of EWRC, but there were also differences, some of which tipped the scales in favor of one candidate.

The hearing itself went rather unnoticed, lacking the significant media and political interest that surrounded the selection process for the outgoing chairman, Ivan Ivanov, about ten years ago. Along with Mladenovski and Rusenova, MPs also heard from candidates for EWRC member positions, as two seats were vacant—one for an energy commissioner and another specializing in the water sector.

For the energy sector position, the contenders are Meglena Rusenova (again) and Tasko Ermenkov (Bulgarian Socialist Party), while the competition for the water sector seat is between Remzi Osman (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) and Alexandra Bogoslovska (There Is Such a People).

 Extending the transition period for the liberalized electricity market, digitizing the networks, licensing water and sewerage operators, and accelerating the liberalization of the gas market—these are the key points in Plamen Mladenovski’s strategy for EWRC’s development and the respective markets it regulates.

At the proposal of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), at the end of last April and shortly before the elections, MPs decided to postpone the liberalization of the wholesale market, which was originally set to take effect in the summer of 2024.

According to Mladenovski, it is necessary to develop adequate compensation schemes, with many possible options—ranging from price caps and annual household limits to special conditions for those transitioning from solid fuels to electric heating, among others.

"The development of the international situation over the past month, as a result of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, has led to extreme shocks and instability on energy markets, which will likely force the EU to reconsider and adapt its long-term plans for a smooth transition to emission-free energy sources," he stated.

In his view, the lack of predictability will shift the European Commission’s focus next year from continuing the liberalization of the electricity market to temporarily postponing it and preventing sudden price shocks for household consumers.

Mladenovski emphasized the importance of maintaining active working relations with his counterparts in other regional regulatory bodies, which would enable member states to prepare for unexpected energy supply crises and ensure electricity supply security.

Network infrastructure is also a key priority—EWRC will focus on investments by companies in digitizing the networks, enabling near real-time data transmission accessible to both consumers and suppliers. The goal is clear: better consumption management and optimization of balancing mechanisms.

In the natural gas sector, Mladenovski’s focus will be on accelerating liberalization and infrastructure development. He also stressed the importance of ensuring a practical mechanism for switching suppliers when a customer is connected to the gas distribution network.

Changes are also expected in the water sector—there is a need to introduce a licensing regime for water and sewerage operators, as this would strengthen EWRC’s regulatory oversight. Currently, operators work with five-year business plans approved by EWRC, but Mladenovski believes this period is too long and limits the regulator's flexibility in decision-making.

Additionally, he highlighted the need for a new national strategy for sector development, as the current one expired two years ago.

The main focus of the other candidate for EWRC’s chairmanship, Meglena Rusenova, will be on the independence of the regulator. "Independence from electricity and gas producers, from operators of transmission and distribution networks, as well as from other private and corporate interests; independence from market interests, from political and party recommendations and instructions," she explained.

Rusenova addressed a wide range of aspects for the development and improvement of the Commission’s work, including its budget.

According to her, EWRC must be provided with an appropriate resource from the state budget, and the fees collected should only cover the costs of the services provided. "Balance is key for the Commission because the apparent protection of some at the expense of others has only a short-term effect, but in the medium and long term, it leads to a deterioration in service quality, reduced competition, and higher prices," Rusenova noted. Therefore, EWRC must harmonize the legitimate interests of all participants. "Creating conditions for competitive and modern energy is the only way to sustainably protect the interests of consumers," she emphasized.

Rusenova also highlighted European regulations, market integration, consumer protection, and a series of measures aimed at improving the work of EWRC and the market relationships between individual participants. "Ensuring supply security and price stability—these priorities should be leading in EWRC's regulatory policy and should form the foundation of Bulgaria's regulatory framework for energy security," Rusenova summarized.

Alongside her candidacy for chairperson, Rusenova is also competing for a seat on EWRC in the energy portfolio, and her nomination has received strong support from businesses and foreign organizations. Given that her main competitor here is Tasko Ermenkov, Rusenova’s chances appear significant. For the water sector, Remzi Osman from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and Alexandra Bogoslavska from TISP are competing. Despite Osman’s greater experience (including as a member of EWRC), the intrigue lies in whether TISP (and BSP) will succeed in placing a second representative on EWRC. Both parties currently have their representatives—respectively, Blagoy Golubarev and Dimitar Kochkov.

According to the procedure, the next step is the preparation of a report by the Energy Committee and draft resolutions for the election of each of the five candidates for the new composition of EWRC. The vote in the plenary may take place seven days later.