site.btaMedia Review: October 1

The news media give prominence to the triumphant welcome given to Bulgaria's volleyball internationals in Sofia on Tuesday, with a red carpet, honour guards, laurel wreaths and public celebrations. 

Trud has a feature about head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini. The daily says that after two Italian coaches, Silvano Prandi, with whom the team won European bronze in 2009, and Camillo Placi, the Bulgaria team is now led by a representative of the new generation of coaches, combining on-court work with in-depth data analysis. A strict professional who demands full adherence to the plan, he still manages to preserve the emotion typical of Bulgarian volleyball. Yet he never lets it take over in decisive moments, probably the key to finally breaking the "semifinal curse" and reaching the big final. The coach is quoted as saying: "I first realized something big could happen a year ago, when I hand-picked the players. My goal is to lead the national team to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles." Volleyball Federation President Lubo Ganev said Blengini not only trains the team, but teaches them what it takes for talented boys to grow into successful men in volleyball.

24 Chasa quotes Ganev as saying that Italy's volleyball budget is EUR 55 million compared to Bulgaria's just over EUR 5 million. "Italy leads in volleyball development, and we borrow expertise. I hope this success will help clubs attract more support from partners. Players are built at the clubs; the national team fine-tunes them. That is why we brought in one of the world's top coaches, Gianlorenzo Blengini."

A psychologist, Dr Plamen Dimitrov, says in a 24 Chasa interview that the team is acting as Bulgaria's therapists. People see themselves in the players, projecting on the volleyball team their wish to be part of a united, successful team, which has been scarce in Bulgaria in recent decades. Through their work, the volleyball team is doing a significant form of social therapy.

The media also cover the return of Ruzhdi Ruzhdi from the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi where he claimed his sixth world title in the F55 shot put. He told BNT: "My coach and I waited for a long time for a major result like this. We wanted it, fought hard for it, and I am finally happy it happened." He improved his own world record and acknowledged strong competition, adding that his motivation comes from a desire to keep proving himself.

POLITICS

Trud quotes Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov as saying on the International Day of Older Persons, October 1, that despite challenges, the government raised all pensions by 8.6% and increased the social old-age pension this year, and is working to raise the survivor benefit to 35% of the deceased spouse's pension from 30% now.

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24 Chasa says the President's Administration claims that the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) has stopped broadcasting reporters' questions to President Rumen Radev live on its evening news programme [Po sveta i u nas]. A letter from presidential media secretary Kiril Atanasov to BNT Director General Emil Koshlukov, dated September 18, raised the issue. While BNT is not legally required to air all presidential statements, the move apparently marks a shift from previous practice. As Radev is nearing the end of his term and is increasing his political activity, his team has adopted a new PR strategy, using local events, exhibitions and conferences for brief, often spontaneous media interactions, sometimes picked up live by private channels bTV and Nova TV.

Under the Radio and Television Act, BNT is not obliged to air every presidential statement live or in full. The President, the Parliament leader, and the heads of the Supreme Courts have the right to address the nation. President Radev last exercised this right on May 9, when he unexpectedly called for a referendum on the euro. In his letter, Kiril Atanasov argued that reports on topics such as the fifth no-confidence vote against the Zhelyazkov cabinet, Rheinmetall's investment plans, the appointment of the head of the State Agency for National Security, and clips including comments from politicians, including comments on the President, did not feature direct statements from Radev.

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Mediapool.bg reports that Assen Vassilev, who was unanimously elected as the sole chairman of Continue the Change on September 28, has chosen to be the sole leader. While the party's statutes allow for co-chairs, they must run as a pair. Vassilev said he trusted former co-chair Kiril Petkov absolutely, having known him for about 20 years, but it would not be that easy to share the leadership with someone he had known for a much shorter time. Now Petkov will return to business but will remain in the party leadership. Continue the Change will elect a new leader or co-chairs in three years.

Segabg.com quotes Yavor Bozhankov MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) as saying that the coalition should regain the trust of the hundreds of thousands of voters it lost, rather than seeking support from other formations. This requires an honest reckoning with past mistakes, including during CC-DB's informal government coalition with GERB in 2023. Bozhankov argues CC-DB must reform itself to convincingly present an alternative to the current government; otherwise, public frustration may turn voters toward President Rumen Radev. The MP also says Assen Vassilev is not a team player.

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In a commentary in Trud headlined "The End of Protest Culture", Viktor Blaskov says that as long as protests remain ineffective, partisan and isolated, they risk losing their point. His take on political protests is that they have long been reduced to partisan gatherings, so they have little chance of gaining broader support. "Each demonstration is more a temporary inconvenience than a challenge to the powers that be. Repetition has dulled their impact: protests have become routine. This does not mean that protesting should stop - freedom of assembly is a cornerstone of democracy."

ECONOMY

Mediapool.bg quotes Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov as saying that Bulgaria's partnership with the US on rare-earth element research in the Maritsa East complex marks a win for mining, technology and regional economic growth. While coal production cannot stop overnight, early samples suggest these elements could raise coal output by at least 20%, securing sustainable jobs for miners. Stankov added that the decarbonization debate should focus on pragmatic potential rather than fear-mongering. Following a recent visit to the US, he addressed a roundtable organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia on Tuesday. In late September, the Bulgarian Energy Holding and the University of North Dakota signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the exploration of rare earth elements in Bulgaria.

The Fiscal Council, an independent body which analyses the budget, expects Bulgaria's 2025 budget deficit to reach 5.1% of GDP, well above the planned 3%, Council member Lyubomir Datsov told a parliamentary subcommittee, according to Trud. Year-to-date data show a shortfall of BGN 9.4 billion, excluding BGN 5.5 billion in below-the-line operations for the Bulgarian Development Bank and the Bulgarian Energy Holding, which the EU institutions may also count towards the deficit. Tax revenues are projected BGN 3 billion below target due to poor planning, rather than collection issues, said Datsov. At 3.2% GDP growth is slightly stronger than the planned 3%.

Economist Petar Ganev told bTV that sharp increases in Bulgaria's gross wages in recent years are largely due to public sector policies. He argued that in this context, private businesses are pressed to raise prices to cover higher labour costs, contributing to inflation. Ganev suggested that budget focus should be on controlling public-sector wage growth, noting that forcing retailers to pay staff higher wages simply pushes up prices of products like cheese.

Trud carries a Facebook post by economics professor Boyan Durankev, who commented on 2024 World Bank data showing that Bulgaria ranks 38th among 42 shrinking populations. Data about Europe show that Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Belarus, Germany, Poland and Hungary are shrinking fastest. Bulgaria's decline is slower, and child-rearing conditions remain relatively favourable, despite challenges in education and healthcare, meaning that this country has fewer but better-quality children - for now, said Durankev. In less-developed countries, population loss often fuels labour migration to richer nations, further eroding their own prospects. As to Germany, despite exporting 75% of EU goods and receiving many migrants, it now faces a severe skilled labour shortage amid high unemployment and is becoming less attractive to European migrants, he said.

Trud reports that the food price comparison portal is struggling after it went "fully operational" on Tuesday. People hoping to compare basic food prices on kolkostruva.bg have been disappointed as it currently lists only two retail chains, searches are slow, and information on brand or weight is often missing, making it useful only for those with plenty of time. The platform was launched to curb unjustified price hikes.

The annual report of Bulgaria's Audit Office, now submitted to Parliament, shows a 60% increase in imposed sanctions compared to last year, but only 14% of recommendations were actually implemented. National Audit Office President Dimitar Glavchev told BNT that most violations relate to the Public Procurement Act, with a smaller rise under the Election Code, reflecting the large number of recent elections.

24 Chasa warns that supplies from irrigation reservoirs across Bulgaria are shrinking while prices are rising. Struggling regions like Pleven rely on the State reserve, even as millions of cubic meters are being lost. Expert Dimitar Kumanov from the Balkanka Association told the daily the Koprinka reservoir on the Tundzha River is in alarming condition. The reservoir reportedly held 21.5 million cubic metres at the start of September. Environmental authorities approved the release of around 4 million cu m for irrigation, so levels should have been at least 17 million by the end of the month, not counting inflow from the Tundzha. Instead, on September 24, the reservoir had only 12.5 million cu m, meaning that 5 or 6 million cu m were used illicitly.

CORRUPTION SCANDAL: COMMENTS

Trud reports that the Sofia City Court left in custody two inspectors of the Road Transport Administration (RTA) Executive Agency who demanded a bribe from the drivers of trucks carrying equipment for Robbie Williams's concert in Sofia on September 28. The inspectors threatened the drivers that if they did not pay up, they would spend the night behind bars and have their cargo seized. The drivers' complaint to the Interior Ministry and the British Embassy led to the inspectors' dismissal and detention for 72 hours on Saturday. "The best part of the story is that two of the British drivers simply ignored the inspectors and left without paying. This is exactly what all Bulgarians should do," the daily says. Two Britons and one Netherlands driver paid the inspectors a total of BGN 400 and EUR 300. "The charges against us are a bit exaggerated and fabricated," one of those involved, Georgi Georgiev, said in his defence. Boris Borisov added that he suspected one of the truck drivers was under the influence - which is beside the point because he was not supposed to be giving drug tests.

24 Chasa said the incident was reported by the world media, but the singer's team has not issued an official statement yet.

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On Nova TV, former RTA staffer Krasimir Pargov said the British Embassy reported corruption in the transport authority, and arrests followed within 48 hours. "We have been sending similar reports for years with no consequences," he said, calling the agency "a racketeering and highly corrupt service". He said that allegedly, candidates pay EUR 20,000 to get a job at the agency and are expected to pay daily kickbacks of EUR 200, as the money is split between two parties. 

In the same talk show, Magdalena Miltenova, head of the Confederation of Bus Carriers in Bulgaria, said there has been no political will to create a unified transport control body. Outdated rules and excessive fines of EUR 500 locally versus EUR 100 elsewhere in Europe foster corruption.

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Trud reports that GERB leader Boyko Borissov is adamant: the RTA agency must be closed down. Some responsibilities will move to the traffic police, while the toll system can handle issues like overloaded trucks and speeding. In the end, a traffic police officer is still needed to ensure that fines are paid. MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski concurred with Borissov that the executive agency must be shut down immediately after the scandal.

EDUCATION

Universities will require an additional EUR 111 million in the new budget, as the country prepares its first budget in euro, according to Prof. Lilyana Valcheva of the Higher Education and Science Union at the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria. She was interviewed by the Bulgarian National Radio at the opening of the academic year at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia on October 1.

SOCIETY

24 Chasa has interviewed psychologist and child-crime expert Miglena Toshkova, who notes an increase in aggressive behaviour among girls aged 12-17. She attributes this to a trend of imitation, where peer harassment and risky behaviour, such as theft in shopping centres, have become tools for social status. While aggression among girls is not new, technology and social media amplify its impact: videos of violence spread rapidly, amplifying victims' shame and potential lifelong trauma, said Toshkova. According to Bulgaria's official statistics for 2024, girls aged 8-13 committing offences numbered 425 versus 966 boys; ages 14-17 saw 1,267 girls and 2,951 boys involved in acts including school bullying, violence, substance use, theft and sexual assault.