site.btaMedia Review: May 18

HEADLINES

Bulgarian media on Monday are dominated by the victory of Dara at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, with newspapers and broadcasters extensively covering the singer’s success and public reactions in Bulgaria.

Among the leading front-page headlines, Telegraph highlights the Eurovision victory with the headline “Dara! Bangaranga,” referencing the winning performance and the celebratory mood surrounding Bulgaria’s success in the contest.

Other newspapers focus on economic and consumer-related topics. 24 Chasa reports that the state owes construction companies EUR 677 million for completed road projects, arguing that the contractors have already fulfilled their obligations. Trud writes that the paper used for wrapping doner kebabs will become illegal from the summer under upcoming regulatory changes.

Among the leading interviews in print media, 24 Chasa features Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev, who says that strict rules are necessary throughout the transport sector and notes that he is accustomed to working under such conditions.

Trud publishes an interview with former National Assembly chair Ognyan Gerdzhikov, who expresses hope that the new parliament will be characterised by dialogue rather than what he describes as a “dictate of the majority.”

In Telegraph, epidemiologist Todor Kantardzhiev comments on the spread of hantavirus, arguing that a series of mistakes has contributed to the situation.

DARA'S BANGARANGA

In her first television interview after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Dara told Bulgarian National Television that she was happy the entire world was “looking toward Bulgaria,” describing the victory as an opportunity to showcase Bulgarian talent and raise the country’s cultural profile. She called for greater unity among artists and said this was a time for musicians and creators to work together and support one another.

Dara described the victory as the fulfilment of a personal mission to place Bulgaria “at the centre of events” and spoke about the intense preparation behind the performance, including months of training, rehearsals and work in Greece. She said her daily routine included running, meditation, singing and dancing practice for up to nine hours a day, stressing that “there is no magic, only work and persistence.”

The singer also spoke about the psychological pressure surrounding the contest, saying she tried to remain focused on her work rather than on criticism or praise. Reflecting on the final moments of the competition, she said she remained calm throughout the voting process and only realized Bulgaria had won when the result was officially announced.

Dara said she now plans to focus on new projects, including an English-language album, and expressed a longer-term ambition to create a shared creative space in Bulgaria where musicians, actors and artists could work together.

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In an interview with Telegraph, Dara said she did not want her Eurovision-winning song “Bangaranga” to sound “perfect,” but rather “alive.” According to her, the song carries the idea of awakening a stronger version of oneself and confronting “modern demons” such as anxiety, shame and fear of being oneself. She said the performance and visual concept were inspired in part by Bulgarian kukeri rituals and their symbolic role in driving away evil and bringing people together.

Dara also spoke about the international team behind the project, which included collaborators from Bulgaria, Sweden and Greece, among them composers Anne Judith Wik, Christian Tarcea (Monoir) and Dimitris Kontopoulos, as well as Eurovision stage directors Fredrik “Benke” Rydman and Sasha Jean-Baptiste. She described Eurovision as the beginning of a new stage in her career, adding that the contest had given her motivation for new music and future meetings with fans.

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Trud has a photo of Dara from the contest on its front page with the title "Dara crushed Eurovision". 24 Chasa's front page also features a photo of the artist holding the Eurovision award.

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On bTV’s morning programme, tourism and economic experts discussed the potential economic impact of Bulgaria hosting the next Eurovision Song Contest 2027 after Dara’s victory.

Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Analysis and Assessment in Tourism, said a host city must have an airport capable of handling between 25,000 and 30,000 passengers, efficient transport links, accommodation capacity and organized public transport. According to him, Sofia, Varna and Burgas meet many of the requirements, although Sofia has the strongest international flight connectivity.

Economist Mihail Krastev said the costs of hosting such an event should be viewed as long-term investment rather than simple expenditure. He argued that spending on logistics and urban infrastructure could generate lasting benefits for citizens and the economy. Krastev added that international examples show strong economic potential, pointing to Switzerland’s reported tourism and revenue gains after hosting Eurovision in 2025. According to the discussion, Bulgaria could also benefit from increased international visibility and future tourism interest.

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On Nova TV’s morning programme, music producer Sanya Armoutlieva commented on the international reaction following Dara’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.

Armoutlieva said the entire world is now talking about Dara and that the singer’s potential for a global career has become clear. According to her, the next step is to identify the most meaningful international opportunities and work with partners outside Bulgaria to develop the artist’s career further.

She also spoke about the emotions surrounding the competition, saying she had been confident Dara would reach the final but was uncertain about winning the contest itself. Armoutlieva added that the Bulgarian team had faced negativity and skepticism before the competition, but described Dara as “a very good person” with exceptional energy and stage presence.

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On bTV, former culture ministers Nayden Todorov and Petar Stoyanovich commented on the significance of Dara’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 and on Bulgaria’s preparations to host next year’s edition of the competition.

Todorov described the victory as a major achievement for Bulgaria, noting that the country had never before won Eurovision and that the margin between first and second place was unprecedented in the history of the contest. He said the success represented an opportunity for Bulgaria to improve the way it presents itself internationally and called for long-term investments in culture, tourism, infrastructure and transport ahead of next year’s event.

Stoyanovich said Bulgaria should approach the opportunity realistically and focus on selecting the city most capable of hosting the competition rather than turning the issue into rivalry between municipalities. He argued that the country should use the event to present Bulgarian culture in a modern way, pointing to the contemporary reinterpretation of traditional kukeri motifs in Dara’s performance.

Both guests stressed the importance of unity and coordination in preparing for the event. Todorov also noted that the timing of the victory was favourable because the state budget for the year had not yet been finalized, allowing funds to be allocated for preparations. Stoyanovich meanwhile commented that public attention surrounding the singer’s success could be short-lived and said Dara should make use of the momentum quickly.

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An article in Telegraph focuses on the emerging competition between Bulgarian cities to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 following Dara’s victory in Vienna.

The report says Sofia, Burgas and Nessebar have already expressed interest in hosting the competition. Sofia is presented as a leading contender because of its infrastructure and Arena Sofia, which hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev congratulated Dara and said the capital would be ready to host the event.

Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov also declared the city’s intention to bid for the hosting rights, describing Dara's success as an inspiration for young people. Writer Maria Kassimova-Moaset and author Yana Valcheva voiced support for Burgas, while actress Dimitrina Teneva suggested the nearby resort of Sunny Beach because of its association with the former Golden Orpheus music festival.

The article also mentions a proposal for Nessebar to host the competition, with supporters arguing that the municipality has already demonstrated organizational capacity through international events such as the Bulgarian stages of the Giro d'Italia.

POLITICS

Trud publishes an interview with Prof. Ognyan Gerdzhikov, former National Assembly chair, who says he is optimistic after the latest elections and believes Bulgaria may be entering a period of greater political stability. He says the parliamentary majority of Rumen Radev’s party Progressive Bulgaria could allow for a full government term, something the country has not seen for years.

Gerdzhikov comments that price control in a market economy is a delicate issue, but argues that some state regulation may sometimes be necessary, provided it does not return the country to controlled prices. He also says he does not expect Radev to move toward authoritarianism, despite the concentration of political power, citing his experience as president and statesman.

A major focus of the interview is the quality of legislation. Gerdzhikov criticizes Bulgaria’s frequent legal amendments, describing them as chaotic and harmful to the rule of law. He calls for expert legal advice in Parliament and says consensus and dialogue should guide the work of the new legislature, rather than confrontation or majority pressure.

He also comments positively on President Iliana Iotova, describing her as balanced and competent, and says he would like to see dialogue in the National Assembly, as "unity makes strength".

ECONOMY

Trud reports on upcoming European Union rules on packaging waste, under which grease-resistant paper commonly used for doner kebabs and burgers will be banned from August 12, 2026. The newspaper writes that the new EU regulation targets packaging containing PFAS chemicals, often described as "forever chemicals" because of their persistence in the environment and potential health risks when in contact with food.

According to the report, the regulation will apply directly in all EU member states, including Bulgaria, without the need for changes to national legislation. The affected packaging may be replaced with alternatives such as wax-coated paper designed to resist moisture and grease.

The article also notes that from January 1, 2030, additional restrictions on single-use plastic packaging will come into force. These will include limits on grouped promotional packaging for products sold in bottles, cans or jars, as well as restrictions on plastic packaging for small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, unless packaging is required for protection or hygiene reasons.

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24 Chasa reports that the state owes construction companies approximately EUR 677.8 million for completed infrastructure projects, including roads, railways and municipal investments. The newspaper says the obligations concern work that has already been accepted by the contracting authorities but remains unpaid for various reasons.

According to the report, most of the outstanding amount is owed by the Road Infrastructure Agency for road maintenance, repairs and new road construction projects. The article notes that delayed payments have become a serious issue for the construction sector, with companies facing growing financial pressure and difficulties meeting obligations to subcontractors and suppliers.

The newspaper also cites former caretaker finance minister Georgi Klisurski as saying that the condition of public finances remains stable despite the extended budget framework and rising deficit. Meanwhile, newly appointed Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Galab Donev announced plans for a review aimed at identifying hidden unpaid state obligations in order to assess the actual budget deficit more accurately.

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In an interview with 24 Chasa, Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev says the government is considering major infrastructure projects, including another bridge over the Danube River, tunnels, several motorways and a north-south transport corridor, but stresses that implementation will depend on priorities and financing.

Peev, who took office 10 days ago after heading Bulgaria’s air traffic management system, says the ministry is carrying out a rapid assessment of the transport sector and the public companies under its authority before moving to deeper reforms. He says his approach is shaped by the strict standards and procedures used in aviation and argues that similar discipline is needed across the transport system.

The minister says railway transport remains one of the government’s main challenges, pointing to the need to modernize rolling stock, improve passenger comfort and speed up delayed infrastructure projects. He confirms that four new Skoda Group trainsets have already arrived and says the government is working to keep railway modernization projects financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan on schedule. He also says contracts related to the rail sector, including the 12-year agreement involving private operator Union Ivkoni, will be closely reviewed.

Peev additionally comments on aviation and postal services, saying the concession of Sofia Airport requires closer examination, particularly regarding payments owed to the state and operational efficiency. He also says reform of Bulgarian Posts is necessary because of its financial condition and operational problems.

HEALTHCARE

Telegraph publishes an interview with epidemiologist Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, who comments on the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship Hondius. He explains that the Andes subtype differs from hantaviruses commonly found in Europe because it can be transmitted from person to person and causes severe pneumonia and cardiac complications.

Kantardzhiev says a series of mistakes contributed to the spread of the infection on the ship, including delayed reporting to health authorities, failure to impose timely isolation and quarantine, and the release of contact persons who later travelled by plane. He notes that European countries have since taken strict measures for testing, isolation and monitoring of contacts.

The interview also covers health risks for Bulgarian travellers. Kantardzhiev says the Andes hantavirus is not among the main dangers for Bulgarian tourists, pointing instead to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika and chikungunya. He warns that delayed mosquito larva treatment in Bulgaria may increase risks during the summer months and urges people not to leave uncovered containers with water in yards. He also comments on the measles outbreak, saying vaccination has helped slow its spread, but stresses the need to check the immunization status of foreign workers coming to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.