site.btaKiril Valchev Proposed for Reappointment as BTA Director General due to Proven Professional Qualities - Culture and Media Committee Chair

Bulgaria's Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Media Chair Toshko Yordanov Thursday said that Kiril Valchev has been proposed for reappointment as Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) due to his professional qualities. He spoke at the start of a meeting of the Committee whose agenda includes hearings of candidates for the post. "We propose that Kiril Valchev be reappointed as Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency due to his proven professional qualities and unquestionable public authority," Yordanov said.

The hearings are being held in accordance with the National Assembly’s decision of November 7, 2025, which sets out the rules for nominating candidates for BTA Director General, presenting and publicly disclosing documents, and conducting hearings in the Committee on Culture and Media, as well as the procedure for the Parliament’s selection.

Yordanov noted that the Committee has received a single nomination - submitted by GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Kostadin Angelov, There Is Such a People Floor Leader Toshko Yordanov, and BSP - United Left parliamentary group member Mariana Boyadzhieva. He added that letters from more than 60 institutions and organizations supporting Kiril Valchev’s candidacy have been received.

Kiril Valchev was born on May 24, 1973, in Sofia. In 1992, he graduated with distinction from the National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures in Sofia and in 1998 he graduated with distinction from Sofia University of St. Kliment Ohridski, majoring in Law (Master’s degree). In 1995, he completed a professional course in radio management at Deutsche Welle in Cologne, Germany. He was a fellow in the European Leaders Program of the German Marshall Fund in the USA in 2000. In 2003, he interned at the BBC Bulgarian Section in London, UK. His language skills include English, Russian, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Old Bulgarian. He worked at BTA from 1993 to 1995. From 1993 to 2021, he was the author of the weekly review programme The Week on Darik Radio, covering numerous events as the radio’s correspondent. Valchev served as Secretary of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, whose members include BTA, Bulgarian National Television, Bulgarian National Radio, Nova Television, and Darik Radio. As a lawyer, he worked in media and intellectual property law. He authored publications in constitutional and commercial law and served as legal advisor to BTA, Darik Radio, and other media outlets. In 2011, he participated in drafting the BTA Act. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors in the media sector. On January 27, 2021, Valchev was elected BTA Director General by the 44th National Assembly, with no votes against or abstentions.