site.btaMedia Review: October 22

POLITICS – HOME SCENE

Mediapool: There will be no reshuffle of Bulgaria’s governing coalition, said Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB, which holds the cabinet-forming mandate, confirming that GERB–UDF, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and There Is Such a People (TISP) will continue to govern, while MRF – New Beginning will maintain its support for the cabinet “without asking for anything in return.”

Borissov told journalists in Parliament that a Cabinet reshuffle could only happen with the consent of all partners. He confirmed holding a meeting earlier in the day with Delyan Peevski, leader of MRF – New Beginning, to discuss ways of ensuring government stability. According to Borissov, Peevski attended “without making any demands.”

GERB later issued a Facebook statement saying that the two parties had agreed not to change the current form of support. MRF – New Beginning will continue to back the Government but will not participate in the executive branch or in the leadership of parliamentary committees. The statement reaffirmed both parties’ commitment to the agreed legislative and governance programme and to Bulgaria’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.

Borissov stressed that MRF – New Beginning “will not bear responsibility for the Government — that lies with GERB and the other two parties.” He also said that the rotation of Parliament’s chairperson remains “mandatory” and expressed hope that the coalition partners will respect this arrangement. GERB will again nominate Raya Nazaryan for the position, he added.

The GERB leader noted that, after securing a majority for Prime Minister Zhelyazkov’s Government, it was now time for the four parties to negotiate the 2026 budget to ensure a 121-seat majority.

Unofficially, opposition figures told Mediapool that Borissov is under pressure from the European People’s Party (EPP) to distance himself from Peevski, who is sanctioned under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Act.

The developments come just before a European Parliament debate on the rule of law in Bulgaria and the alleged “political arrest” of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, initiated by the Renew Europe group, to which Continue the Change belongs.

Dnevnik: Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski posed together for a photo in Parliament, signalling that GERB and MRF  – New Beginning intend to work together for a full government term and to “fulfil their commitments to Bulgaria’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.” The announcement was made in a post on GERB’s official Facebook page.

The post adds that Peevski’s party will continue to support the mandate holder and its partners in the ruling coalition — the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and There Is Such a People (TISP).

The two parliamentary groups agreed not to change the current form of cooperation. GERB clarified that MRF – New Beginning has declined participation in the executive branch as well as in the leadership of parliamentary committees.

bTV contributes by quoting Borissov as saying that he has assumed the whole responsibility in order to guarantee the stability of this country. He also added that he is not a prime minister candidate, as the three times he has been one are enough.

Bulgarian National TV’s headline reads: “Borissov and Peevski Shake Hands, MRF – New Beginning Refuses to Participate in Executive”.

NOVA TV also covers the topic with a similar headline.

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24 Chasa: President Rumen Radev said he would not spend money on official cars for the presidency if funds were allocated before the end of his term, explaining that by the time the vehicles arrived, he would already have left office. His statement came after MRF–New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski sent an official letter to the Finance Minister on Monday, urging that funds be provided for the presidential administration’s car fleet, as other institutions have.

Radev stressed that his administration would continue to perform its duties but would not initiate any public procurement procedures for cars, garages, fuel, or servicing. “Any results from such tenders would be for the next administration, which may have different preferences,” he said after addressing the Public Broadcasters International (PBI) Conference.

For the past three days, Radev has been traveling around the country in a family Skoda registered in his wife Dessislava’s name, driven by National Service for Protection (NSP) officers. He has refused to use NSP limousines since Parliament passed a law stating that the Service would no longer provide transport for his administration. Radev noted that when the MRF proposed this legal amendment, the motives stated it would not lead to additional budget costs — yet now the party was asking the Finance Ministry to allocate funds, he recalled.

Radev’s term ends in January 2027. Even if the State approves funding for cars, that would likely happen under next year’s budget. Afterwards, tenders would still need to be held for vehicles, garages, maintenance, and drivers.

The President once again criticised the ruling coalition for “fear and lack of quorum,” while Government and coalition council meetings were being held at the same time.

ECONOMY - REAL ESTATE MARKET

Dnevnik runs a commentary about the price of real estate in Sofia. In the year before Bulgaria’s planned adoption of the euro, Sofia’s new housing market has shown two contrasting halves. The first six months of the year saw intense buying activity, while the second half brought a noticeable cooling — coinciding with the official decision on eurozone entry.

Over the past year, prices for new construction in central Sofia have risen by about EUR 500 per square meter, reaching an average of EUR 2,310. Realtors attribute this to high demand, rising wages, and limited supply.

According to the National Statistical Institute, housing prices in Bulgaria have increased by about 150% in the past decade, and by over 180% in Sofia, while average wages have also risen by around 180%. Despite a slowdown, the number of property transactions recently reached the highest level since 2007.

The cooling of the market is linked to high prices discouraging some buyers from taking long-term loans. On the secondary market, sellers are often setting unrealistically high asking prices (20%–30% above market value), causing some realtors to refuse listings. Buyers have become more selective, paying closer attention to details like energy efficiency, while less financially capable buyers have been squeezed out.

There remains a shortage of quality new buildings, keeping demand for new construction high. Interest in houses near Sofia also persists, though many available properties are in poor condition or overpriced.

More deals are now being made for existing homes, and properties in low-energy-efficiency buildings are expected to lose value and become less attractive to banks offering mortgages.

Currently, housing affordability has remained stable: one average monthly salary buys about 1.2 square meters of living space — a ratio that has held steady since 2020, as both wages and housing prices have roughly doubled.

Looking ahead, experts note that market trends will depend on tax policy, income growth, credit conditions, and a long-term national housing strategy. Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone is expected to occur with low mortgage interest rates (2.5%–3%), which will continue to support demand.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – ADVENT

Capital runs a story about the advent of AI at the workplace and how it is becoming a professional standard, instead of being merely a trend. 

Generative AI and large language models, once seen as novelties in 2023, have now become integral to daily work across nearly all industries, according to Telerik Academy Vice President Alexander Kitov. Speaking at the AI Masterclass Architecting AI Native Organisations, he noted that “AI use is no longer an experiment — it’s becoming a professional norm.”

A new study by Telerik Academy and Forbes Bulgaria shows that 91% of professionals use AI tools at least once a week, and 65% use them daily, up from 73% and 37% just 18 months earlier. The survey, covering 201 professionals across IT, finance, education, marketing, and manufacturing, reveals that non-technical roles are now adopting AI faster than technical ones.

Although 64% of respondents feel confident using AI, only 13% have received formal training. Many use the tools intuitively rather than through structured learning. Interestingly, technical experts like programmers and engineers report less tangible benefit from AI than business professionals, who see clearer gains in productivity, reporting, and communication.

Kitov attributes this to different mindsets: technical users understand the technology but often don’t apply it creatively, while non-technical users take a more pragmatic approach. Yet, most companies still lack a broad AI integration culture — only a third have made some investment in AI, and just one-fifth report significant ones.

AI is increasingly viewed as a new professional standard. Nine in ten specialists believe AI skills will be crucial for career growth; 23% of employers already require them, and another 46% expect to do so within two years. On average, AI helps professionals save 4.2 hours per week — the equivalent of about 30 extra productive days per year.

Kitov emphasizes that AI brings two types of value: time savings and business growth. However, most companies still see it mainly as an optimization tool rather than a driver of innovation. He stresses the need for new organizational cultures that encourage experimentation and structured AI learning environments.

Telerik Academy, for instance, has added an “AI awareness” module to its programs to make AI a shared language across teams, boosting collaboration and innovation.

Despite rapid adoption, fears of job loss remain low — only a quarter of professionals worry that AI could replace them, while over 70% view it as an assistant. As Kitov concludes, “This is no longer hype — it’s a real work tool. The benefits are simply too great to ignore.”

SOCIETY – SCHOOL VIOLENCE - MINISTER 

“We must be clear with our children about our attitude toward aggression. In addition, I believe we should limit their exposure to information sources — they should watch fewer TV shows and less online content,” said Education Minister Krasimir Valchev, as quoted by bTV.

He acknowledged that the Bulgarian education system’s formative role has weakened, and that reforms in curricula aim to remind teachers of their responsibility to educate and instil values. “But teachers are in an unequal competition,” Valchev noted, adding that he was shocked to discover a video game where “the goal is to kill as many people as possible in the most brutal way.”

Valchev stressed that responsibility is shared — among the education system, teachers, and families — though he insisted, “We won’t install metal detectors in every case.”

Commenting on recent violent incidents in a Sofia mall and a Sofia school, the minister said that a significant number of students regularly carry knives to school and in the city. “Teachers confiscate knives every day,” he said, suggesting that some of this behaviour may be tied to “local culture” and that schools requesting help should be supported. However, he emphasized that the issue cannot be solved “solely through metal detectors or technical measures,” reiterating that the main role of education is moral formation.

Valchev also warned of a rise in addictions among students and young people, identifying social media dependence as perhaps the most harmful. “If something is harmful and addictive, it’s a dependency — and social networks are exactly that. The damage to a child’s brain is five times greater than from alcoholism,” the education minister said.

NOVA TV’s headline quotes Valchev as saying that there will be no metal detectors at schools.

FLOODS  AFTERMATH

Duma runs a story about how the government has approved one-time assistance of BGN 15,000 for the legal heirs of those who died in the floods that struck the Burgas region in early October. The decision was made following a proposal by Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov.

The necessary funds, totalling BGN 60,000, will be provided from the budget of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The one-time payments will be distributed through the Social Assistance Agency, providing additional financial support to the families of the victims.

Earlier in October, the cabinet also granted BGN 3,000 in additional aid to people affected by the floods. They remain eligible for a one-time disaster relief payment equal to three times the poverty line (BGN 1,914), as well as up to BGN 2,500 from the Social Protection Fund to replace destroyed household appliances. In total, support from the MLSP for affected households could reach approximately BGN 7,500. 

WORLD

Mediapool leads with a story headlined “Trump Cancels Meeting with Putin in Budapest”. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled his plans for a meeting with Vladimir Putin in the near future, Reuters reported, citing a senior White House official.

The planned meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which was meant to prepare the Putin–Trump summit in Budapest, will also not take place, the source told the agency.

Washington has halted preparations for the summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, which had been announced following a phone call between the Russian and American presidents last week. NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake reported this earlier, also citing a senior White House official.

According to NBC’s source, Trump believes that neither Russia nor Ukraine is ready to move forward in negotiations.

The Budapest meeting, which Trump had hoped to hold within the next two weeks, was called into question after it became clear that Putin was not prepared to back down from his radical demands, European diplomats familiar with the situation told Reuters.

The preparatory meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for this week, has been canceled. This indicates that the U.S. side is not ready for a presidential summit, Reuters sources said.

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Trud leads with a story about the rapidly growing French distrust in democracy. A large share of the population is increasingly tempted by the idea of being governed by a strong far-right authority, according to an analysis by Le Monde. The Paris daily drew this conclusion from data gathered by Ipsos in a poll commissioned by the newspaper.

“French democracy is sick, and its ills are many,” Le Monde wrote in an editorial. The paper said that in 2025, after months of political instability, the results of the survey show rising mistrust, despair, apathy, and even a growing desire to step outside the democratic framework — signs of a deep democratic crisis less than two years before the next presidential election.

The gap between voters and their representatives continues to widen: 96% of respondents said they were dissatisfied or angry with the situation in the country. Most blame President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval rating has fallen steadily during his second term to around 10%. Instead of reviving public engagement in politics, Le Monde notes, Macron has left many French citizens disillusioned.

Ninety percent of those surveyed now believe France is in decline, compared to 75% in 2022. Parliament, meanwhile, has failed to assert control over Macron’s increasingly centralized presidential rule. “Crisis after crisis, political discourse continues to deteriorate,” the newspaper warns.

Since September, the French have witnessed a confusing episode in which a prime minister resigned, refused to return to office, then was reappointed to lead the government again. As a result, 42% of people under 35 now believe that another social or political system might work just as well as the current one. Support for a strong far-right government is becoming increasingly tangible.

Le Monde concludes that candidates in the 2027 presidential race will need to present serious ideas to prevent “the underground cracks and fissures, patched with great difficulty, from reopening violently into chasms and abysses” — a warning the paper echoes from Austrian writer Stefan Zweig’s 1941 reflection on the collapse of European democracies.