site.btaMedia Review: May 22

POLITICS - JUSTICE

Standart writes that the National Assembly made the first step towards restoring the commission for countering corruption after MPs passed the bill on first reading. The move comes amid pressure linked to blocked European funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, including around EUR 215 million withheld by the European Commission due to Bulgaria’s failure to meet requirements for a politically independent anti-corruption body.

The outlet adds that the deadline for proposals between the two readings is reduced to four days, indicating an accelerated legislative process. It notes that the new framework also responds to warnings from Brussels about the possible return of around EUR 143 million already disbursed, while the proposed commission is designed as a five-member body appointed through different institutions to strengthen perceived independence. The draft bill also sets a five-year non-renewable term in office and gives the body broad investigative and preventive powers, including checks on assets, conflicts of interest and corruption-related crimes.

NOVA TV also covers the topic by writing that MPs have once again created a commission to counter corruption. This happened on first reading with the main motive being to salvage EU funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

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Mediapool.bg writes that Bulgaria’s system for enforcing mandatory third-party liability insurance is effectively turning drivers into criminals through administrative gaps and contradictory legal practice. The website notes that drivers stopped without valid insurance face severe sanctions, including deregistration of the vehicle, confiscation of licence plates, a six-month suspension of their driving licence and a fine of about EUR 250. In addition, they may face criminal liability for driving an unregistered vehicle.

The outlet adds that the problem stems from the Interior Ministry deregistering vehicles automatically after receiving notifications from the Guarantee Fund that insurance coverage has lapsed, while often failing to inform vehicle owners. This means drivers can unknowingly continue using deregistered vehicles and later face criminal investigations and prosecution. Mediapool.bg says the Interior Ministry forwards such cases to local prosecutors, who may either dismiss them as insignificant or open criminal proceedings.

The website reports that legislative amendments adopted last September removed the Interior Ministry’s explicit obligation under the Road Traffic Act to notify owners when a vehicle’s registration is terminated. Although such an obligation still exists in secondary legislation, the Ministry reportedly considers the amended law to take precedence and is preparing further regulatory changes to remove the notification requirement entirely.

Mediapool.bg notes that Bulgaria’s two supreme courts issued a joint interpretative ruling four years ago saying drivers who were not informed about a vehicle’s deregistration should not be punished because they lacked awareness that they were committing an offence. The outlet adds that the Interior Ministry argues the ruling is no longer applicable because it was based on legal provisions that have since been repealed.

The website reports that around 1,800 proceedings are opened annually in Bulgaria for driving unregistered vehicles. Prosecutors filed charges against 756 people in 2024, 698 in 2025 and 129 people since the start of 2026. Mediapool.bg notes that the number of actual indictments remains significantly lower than the number of proceedings, suggesting prosecutors themselves often recognize the disproportionate nature of such cases.

The outlet adds that several court rulings continue to criticize the practice. One administrative court ruling in Veliko Tarnovo says failure to notify owners about deregistration constitutes a “serious procedural violation” because it deprives drivers of the opportunity to prevent deregistration. Courts have repeatedly argued that drivers in such cases lack the “subjective element” of the offence because they are unaware they are violating the law.

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Trud quotes GERB leader Boyko Borissov as commenting the fact that his security detail from the National Service for Protection (NSP) has been lifted.

“I am worried without security; I am using a party car,” said Borissov, speaking to journalists in Parliament.

“Even Boyko Rashkov, when he was Interior Minister, did not allow [my] security to be lifted. When I was arrested, I was a protected person, and now overnight they decided there is no threat at all. You ask me whether I am worried — yes, I am worried, I am now using a car from the parliamentary group,” Borissov added.

When asked whether he enters the National Assembly through the back entrance, he said:

“Wherever the driver drops me off — that’s where I enter.”

On May 13, it became clear that the security detail of GERB leader Boyko Borisov provided by the NSP had been removed. 

GENDER PAY GAP

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reports that Bulgaria sets a national target to reduce the gender pay gap from 12% to 10% by 2030, as part of draft amendments to the Protection against Discrimination Act published for public consultation with a reduced deadline until June 2. The move is linked to the requirement for Bulgaria to align its legislation with an EU directive on strengthening the application of equal pay principles for men and women for equal work.

BNR covered that the legislative changes are being introduced urgently ahead of a June 7 deadline, with the country at risk of financial sanctions if it fails to comply. The outlet notes that the reform includes new obligations for employers to provide salary transparency, employee rights to access pay information by job category, and reporting requirements on wage disparities. It adds that mechanisms will be introduced to correct unjustified pay gaps exceeding 5%, alongside expanded powers for the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination to monitor enforcement of equal pay rules.

AGRICULTURE

Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reports that Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovski defended recent personnel changes within the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA), saying such shifts are standard practice for any government. He rejected criticism over dismissals in the Agency’s leadership and questioned claims of controversy, stating that each administration appoints its own team.

The outlet adds that Abrovski addressed allegations related to controls at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint, arguing that there must be a clear distinction between administrative violations and crimes, and insisting that all border checks are now carried out by state officials following reforms in 2022.

He also criticised claims that the State cannot manage border control independently and discussed broader issues in the agricultural sector, including market imbalances, producer organisation and pricing, noting that “cooperatives are the best thing that helps producers in the EU.”

ENERGY

The article from Capital argues that Bulgaria has rapidly become a major hub for grid-scale battery energy storage, following two years of intense investment driven by private capital and EU Recovery Plan funding. According to the text, the country now has several gigawatts of installed battery capacity, making it one of the fastest-growing storage markets globally.

This surge in batteries is reshaping Bulgaria’s electricity system. Batteries store cheap daytime solar energy—both domestic and imported—and release it during peak demand hours, effectively turning Bulgaria into a regional balancing hub for Southeast Europe. This has influenced electricity prices, cross-border energy flows, and trading strategies.

The article claims that, relative to its economy and power system size, Bulgaria ranks among global leaders in storage penetration, even ahead of much larger markets like the US, China, and Germany on a relative basis. It highlights that most of Bulgaria’s storage consists of large grid-scale systems rather than residential batteries, which strengthens their impact on system balancing.

The growth began with EU-funded programs under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, combined with the rapid expansion of solar power, falling battery costs, and favorable market conditions. These factors created strong economic incentives for investors to deploy storage systems quickly.

Looking forward, the article suggests that Bulgaria’s role as a “regional battery” is not guaranteed to last, as neighboring countries are also investing in storage. It argues that future success will depend on grid development, regulation, and deeper regional energy integration.

EUROVISION - BULGARIA

Trud and other media outlets write that Prime Minister Rumen Radev is scheduled to hold a meeting with singer Dara on May 22 at 14:00 in the Council of Ministers building, citing the government press service. It adds that the meeting follows her strong performance and victory at Eurovision, with the event drawing significant international attention to Bulgaria.

The outlet adds that ministers from the cabinet, representatives of Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and the artist’s team are expected to take part in the talks, which will also address early preparations for the next edition of Eurovision, whose host city is still undecided between Sofia and other Bulgarian cities. It notes that access for media will be restricted under a special accreditation regime due to high public interest in the singer.

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24 Chasa writes that a poll by Alpha Research shows that 57% of Bulgarians believe Bulgaria and Bulgarian National Television (BNT) will successfully organize Eurovision 2027, while 59% support Sofia as the host city. The survey follows Bulgaria’s expected hosting of the European music contest in 2027.

The outlet adds that 36% of respondents expect some problems but overall a good performance, while 7% believe difficulties will dominate. It notes that Sofia leads ahead of Burgas with 15%, while Plovdiv and Varna remain further behind in the preferences. The newspaper reports that 72% see the main benefit of hosting Eurovision as improving Bulgaria’s international image, followed by 63% who point to tourism gains, with further expected effects on local business, infrastructure and the cultural sector.

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Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reports that Georgi Duchev, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Association of Hotel Executives (BAHE), says Bulgaria is currently benefiting from heightened international attention linked to singer Dara and the song “Bangaranga,” which he describes as a rare opportunity for the country. Speaking to BNR, Duchev argues that global media coverage has increased interest in Bulgaria, although he notes that neither the State nor the business sector contributed directly to this visibility.

The outlet adds that Duchev calls on institutions and businesses to capitalize on the moment ahead of Eurovision 2027, while warning that the tourism sector remains cautious due to uncertainty over the event’s exact location and dates. He notes that accommodation capacity will not be a problem, citing Sofia and nearby resorts such as Borovets, as well as coastal options near Burgas, while dismissing reports of extremely high rental prices as speculative and not representative of the hotel industry. Duchev also says that prices and wages in the sector are likely to rise due to increased demand, with additional job creation expected during the event period.

WORLD

Dnevnik writes that Iran is attempting to impose a new reality in the Strait of Hormuz by introducing a de facto transit regime controlled by Tehran, while US President Donald Trump continues to threaten the Islamic republic. The outlet notes that new maps published by the Gulf Passage Agency (PGSA), a little-known body with no official website, claim “oversight” over more than 22,000 sq km of waters, including areas near the coasts of the United Arab Emirates and Oman and even the Emirati oil-export hub of Fujairah.

The daily adds that Tehran now requires vessels to coordinate passage with the agency, despite the Strait of Hormuz being recognized as international waters under international maritime law. It notes that Iran has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Media reports cited by Dnevnik suggest fees may reach USD 2 million per vessel, potentially generating between USD 3 billion and USD 8 billion annually, with payments allegedly made in Chinese yuan or cryptocurrencies.

The outlet reports that the legitimacy of the PGSA remains unclear. Investigative journalist Fatemeh Karimkhan says there is no official evidence that the agency exists. “It’s astonishing that an unverified Twitter [X] account can control the news cycle this way,” she wrote. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash describes the move as “an attempt to establish a new reality born from a clear military defeat,” adding that efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz or infringe on UAE maritime sovereignty are “nothing more than fragments of dreams”.

Dnevnik notes that the US says its Central Command has redirected 94 commercial vessels and neutralized four threats since Washington imposed its blockade of Iranian ports on April 13. Tehran, however, still holds major advantages in the strait, including cheap drones, fast attack craft and geographic leverage. The daily adds that vessels linked to the United States or Israel are reportedly barred from passage, while ships from Russia, China, India and Pakistan receive preferential treatment through bilateral arrangements.

The outlet reports that Reuters, citing more than 20 sources familiar with the mechanism, says some vessels outside intergovernmental agreements have paid more than USD 150,000 to Iranian authorities to secure safe passage. Former Israeli intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz says shipowners’ willingness to work directly with Iran despite the risks shows “the extent to which the strait is under the control of the Islamic republic”. “Some will pass because of political alliances, others will have to pay, and others will be turned back. This is the new norm,” Citrinowicz says.

Dnevnik also reports that Iran is seeking alternative trade routes while its ports remain blocked. Pakistan has opened six land border crossings to facilitate cargo flows, while Tehran is negotiating expanded links between the Iranian port of Chabahar and Pakistan’s Gwadar port. The daily adds that Iran is also looking to rail and land corridors connecting it with China, the Caucasus, Russia and Turkiye as it attempts to reduce the impact of maritime pressure from the United States.

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Dnevnik writes that Alberta will hold a referendum on whether the province should remain part of Canada, with the alternative being a second binding vote on secession that would mark the country’s first major test of unity in decades, the BBC reports. The daily notes that the statement by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith comes after a citizens’ petition supporting secession gathered more than 300,000 signatures earlier this year, while a separate petition backing Alberta remaining in Canada collected more than 400,000 signatures.

The outlet adds that a restless independence movement is growing in the oil-rich province, driven by a long-standing sense that Alberta is neglected by decision-makers in Ottawa. Opinion polls show that most Albertans would vote against secession. The vote is scheduled for October 19.

TECHNOLOGY - AI 

Duma writes that MEP Kristian Vigenin of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group took part in a plenary debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg focused on the security, resilience and regulation of artificial intelligence. The debate addressed the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and its role in protecting fundamental rights, transparency, human oversight and cyber security in advanced AI systems.

The outlet adds that Vigenin warned that advanced AI systems could be used for cyberattacks, disinformation and strikes against critical infrastructure, noting the need for stronger European coordination and investment in digital sovereignty. “These systems can become tools for cyberattacks, disinformation and attacks against critical infrastructure,” Vigenin said. He also argued for strengthening the EU AI Office into a full-fledged agency and said, “Europe needs closer cooperation and greater investment in reliable European artificial intelligence capabilities and digital sovereignty.”

SOCIETY

bTV runs a story about a 90-year-old general practitioner from southwestern Bulgaria continues to see patients in a rural village more than six decades after beginning his medical career, highlighting a lifelong dedication to medicine and community service.

Dr. Apostolov explains that he began his medical career in October 1962 as a district physician, after which he held various positions in the healthcare system – including internist in an internal medicine ward, head of a department at the hospital in Petrich, and head of a cardiology clinic.

“My career started in 1962,” he says, emphasizing his long professional path and the experience accumulated over the years.

Since the early 2000s, Dr. Apostolov has been working in the village of Skart, where for more than 25 years he has continued to see patients.

When asked how he manages to remain active at the age of 90, the doctor responds simply: “My strength comes from the people who are waiting for me.”

According to him, daily work and contact with patients are his main motivation to continue practicing his profession.

On the occasion of his anniversary, representatives of the local authorities and residents of the village expressed their gratitude for his long-standing contribution to healthcare and the community.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Petrich presented Dr. Apostolov with a plaque for civic contribution, emphasizing that he is an example of professionalism and humanity.

“Just the presence of people like him is the greatest recognition,” was noted during the ceremony.

Despite the awards and recognition, Dr. Apostolov remains modest and says he does not consider his merits exceptional.

“I am surprised by the attention. I think it is excessive,” he says.

The story of Dr. Kiril Apostolov preserves the bond between doctor and patient – even after decades of practice.

Only days ago, he celebrated his 90th birthday in his office.