site.btaMedia Review: September 24

HEADLINES

Tax changes, the presidential election campaign and scrutiny of private flights taken by Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair Delyan Peevski feature prominently in Thursday’s coverage. Other reports examine defence spending, consumer protection, regional inequalities and shortcomings in public services.

ECONOMY

24 Chasa writes that Deputy Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova presented a proposed 33% windfall tax for 2027 on banks, insurers, large food retailers, telecommunications companies, currency exchanges and short-term lenders. The proceeds would help finance higher child tax relief and new deductions for spending on children’s health, education and sport.

The daily adds that the package includes an excise duty on cars exceeding 250 kilowatts, with exemptions for specialist vehicles. Business measures include faster depreciation of technology investments and a longer period for carrying forward tax losses.

Mediapool.bg also covers the package, noting proposed increases in property tax assessments of 30% in 2027 and 35% in each of the following two years. These higher assessments would not apply to waste collection charges.

The site adds that the compulsory VAT registration threshold would rise to EUR 75,000 and the monthly food voucher ceiling to EUR 200, subject to a new 7% tax. The windfall levy would apply to profits exceeding 120% of a company’s average annual taxable profit in 2020-2025.

Capital reports a projected net budget gain of EUR 1.123 billion from the package in 2027, after additional tax relief. The weekly notes that parliamentary approval is still required and reports that the 2027 budget is expected by mid-October.

Nova TV reported that Continue the Change (CC) MP Venko Sabrutev said higher taxes could outweigh households’ gains from increased child relief. “They give with one hand and take with the other,” Sabrutev said.

The broadcaster also reported criticism from economists Kuzman Iliev and Nikola Yankov, who said the Government was choosing tax increases instead of spending reform. “Simple PR moves are being made, but they do not improve the situation,” Iliev said; Yankov said the approach risked discouraging investment.

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported that Progressive Bulgaria (PB) MP Zdravko Markov said the higher food voucher ceiling would benefit workers despite the new tax. He said PB was also preparing stronger consumer credit protections, including a fairer method of calculating interest and restrictions on convicted offenders working in lending and debt collection.

The outlet added that further help with fuel costs remained possible. “We are also planning additional measures if the fuel crisis deepens,” Markov said.

***

24 Chasa reports that Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s proposed gambling advertising ban would retain an exception for sponsorship advertising on sports facilities and team clothing. “We are introducing a complete ban on gambling advertising,” Radev says, outlining the broader restrictions.

The daily adds that gambling taxes and licensing charges would rise and the National Revenue Agency would receive real-time information on gambling activity. Capital also covers the proposals, noting that their effectiveness will depend on the final legislation and enforcement.

***

24 Chasa reports that Parliament lifted restrictions on diesel and aviation fuel exports, allowing Lukoil Neftochim Burgas to sell surplus stocks. Deputy Economy Minister Mihaela Karadimova says the refinery held about 50,000 tonnes of excess diesel worth USD 73.2 million on September 3.

The daily adds that opposition MPs fear higher domestic prices, while PB says exports would free storage capacity. “The decision is market-based and will have no effect on the price of diesel, and if it does, it will be downwards,” PB MP Slavi Vassilev said.

bTV reported that financial journalist Stefan Antonov said the budget deficit limited the Government’s response to rising fuel prices. “The package of measures so far is something like light infantry; the heavy artillery has not been brought out,” Antonov said.

The broadcaster added that Center for the Study of Democracy analyst Tsvetomir Nikolov linked Bulgaria’s high percentage increase in fuel prices partly to its low starting prices and taxes. He said renewed exports were unlikely to cause a major economic shock but would increase demand and accelerate price growth.

***

Telegraph writes that demand for used diesel cars is falling despite lower asking prices, while buyers increasingly favour hybrids and factory-fitted gas systems. Dealers say running costs, maintenance and possible restrictions increasingly determine purchasing decisions.

The daily notes that diesel cars still accounted for 48.7% of registered passenger cars in May. “The customer first asks how much fuel it uses. Then they ask how much servicing costs,” dealers said.

***

bTV reported on regional inequalities, noting that employment among people aged 20-64 reached 81.5% in the Southwestern region in 2025, compared with 71.6% in the Northwestern region. The broadcaster added that the Southwest, which includes Sofia, generated around 57% of national non-financial enterprise revenue, showing how national averages conceal sharply different local economies.

POLITICS

24 Chasa reports that President Iliana Iotova and vice-presidential candidate Kiril Valchev received ballot number 25 in Wednesday’s draw, while former caretaker PM Andrey Gurov and vice-presidential candidate Georgi Kandev received number 4. “We will definitely win it,” campaign committee co-chair Konstantin Valkov said of the latter ticket’s prospects.

The daily also covers a Nova TV discussion in which journalist Emilia Milcheva says Vazrazhdane voters could support Iotova in a runoff. PR expert Diana Damyanova instead sees a chance for Vazrazhdane to reach the second round and doubts Gurov’s ability to attract substantial GERB and MRF support.

bTV reported that Alpha Research sociologist Genoveva Petrova expected Iotova and Gurov to remain the main contenders, although a strong Vazrazhdane campaign could erode Iotova’s support. Sociologist Andrey Raychev said the decisive contest was for the roughly 600,000 voters who backed GERB and MRF in April. “The battle is for them,” he said.

Petrova said many GERB supporters might abstain in the first round, while others could divide between the two leading candidates. bTV reported that the official campaign begins on September 25, ahead of the October 25 election.

Dnevnik notes, in an analysis by political scientist Ivo Indzhov, that the presidential election is accelerating changes to Bulgaria’s party system following PB’s parliamentary victory. He says an Iotova victory could further concentrate political influence around PB, while the opposition faces pressure to unite before the 2027 local elections.

Sega.bg also covers the movement of local officials towards PB, including mayors, councillors and administrators elected through other parties. It notes that Valchi Dol Mayor Kaloyan Tsvetkov, elected on a There Is Such a People ticket in 2023, now heads PB’s local organization.

The site reports separately that Turkiye accounts for more than 7,000 of the 18,430 applications to vote abroad submitted by Wednesday morning, followed by the United Kingdom with around 3,000 and Germany with more than 1,500. No polling stations are planned in Lebanon, Ukraine or Syria; applications close at 11:59 p.m. on September 29, the site reports.

***

Dnevnik also reports that former prime minister Ivan Kostov criticized the Government’s foreign policy in a bTV interview, saying PB lacks a clear position on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Bulgaria has no position on the conflicts backed by a broad national consensus,” Kostov says. He adds that borrowing to finance current consumption shifts costs onto younger generations and that restoring Bulgaria’s international standing should be a priority for the next president.

JUSTICE

BNR reported that former Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, now an investigator at the National Investigation Service, sent Radev allegations of political corruption and influence peddling. His open letter said Minister of Justice Nikolay Naydenov was screening candidates for the judiciary’s quota on the Supreme Judicial Council in his office and at a private company’s premises.

The radio added that the letter followed Naydenov’s comments about a regrouping within the prosecution service taking place in Sarafov’s office. Sarafov said he was ready to be heard by the competent institutions.

***

Mediapool.bg writes that Radev personally chose Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Ivan Yordanov before requesting his return to Bulgaria amid scrutiny of Peevski’s private flights. Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev says a company linked to Yordanov’s father paid for the flights using diverted public funds.

The site adds that Yordanov denies any family connection: “No member of my family is connected with these flights,” Yordanov said. Demerdzhiev says the checks are based on documents and no pre-trial proceedings have been opened.

Telegraph also covers the appointment and adds that the Government is working with foreign partner services to trace businesses, assets and intermediaries abroad. “This is only the beginning,” Radev said.

Nova TV reported on the possible outcome of the checks into 36 flights reportedly costing nearly EUR 5 million. Peevski denied links to the companies under scrutiny and said his family’s personal funds paid for the travel.

The broadcaster added that Club Z journalist Stefan Milanov questioned the authorities’ selective scrutiny, while 24 Chasa journalist Kiril Borisov says prosecutorial action is needed to open pre-trial proceedings. “I am not convinced about the results that will be achieved,” Borisov says.

***

Telegraph reports that the Government is submitting Criminal Code amendments to criminalize customs violations and make smuggling a serious offence. “We are tightening customs controls,” PM Radev says.

The daily adds that Radev says the proposals would cover customs officials who deliberately overlook violations and the intentional manipulation of information to divert European and national public funds.

***

Trud writes that Sofia District Court Judge Andrey Georgiev says more than 95% of the short-term loan cases he hears end with borrowers repaying only the principal, without interest or fees. He says urgent borrowing can trap people in a debt spiral and supports stronger checks before loans are granted.

The daily adds that Georgiev wants the Commission for Consumer Protection to step up enforcement. “It must become far more active, but lacks the staff to do so,” Georgiev says.

DEFENCE

24 Chasa reports that PM Radev wants a higher defence budget in 2027 despite pressure to reduce the deficit, following Wednesday’s drone demonstrations in Slivnitsa. He also seeks a mobile drone command centre and a dedicated unit, after observing aircraft produced by TEREM.

The daily adds that Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov wants spending to rise from 2.15% to 2.33% of GDP. “I will not be satisfied if we remain at the same level,” Stoyanov said; the daily also reports planned talks in Poland on MiG-29 spare parts and in Brussels on September 28 on second-hand fighters.

Mediapool.bg also covers the budget discussions, noting that the size of the increase remains unresolved ahead of talks with the Ministry of Finance. It adds that Bulgaria’s NATO spending plan envisages 5% of GDP by 2035, including 3.5% for direct military expenditure and the remainder for related infrastructure and other projects.

HOME AFFAIRS

Capital reports that the Ministry of Interior has launched a second procurement procedure, worth EUR 29.4 million excluding VAT, to expand the national early warning system. New sirens and communications equipment in 16 regional capitals and 61 municipal centres would extend coverage to around 75% of the population.

The weekly adds that the previous procedure was cancelled following a Supreme Administrative Court ruling. Bids are due by October 23, and the work must be completed by January 30, 2029. The siren network operates alongside the separate BG-Alert mobile warning system, Capital notes.

SOCIETY

BNT reported that Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva had received 35% more complaints about water supply problems this year. “We all know that the network is outdated and needs to be repaired,” Delcheva said.

The broadcaster added that she sought clearer responsibilities and compensation rights, alongside better coordination and information about interruptions. After hundreds of complaints about prolonged hot-water interruptions in Sofia, she said heating utility company Toplofikatsiya Sofia should compensate affected households without requiring individual requests.

***

Dnevnik reports that MEP Hristo Petrov’s proposed EUR 1.45 million Summers of Europe programme for free educational camps for children living in poverty has received European Commission backing. It would combine language learning, sport, culture and social activities.

“A child must be able to imagine a different future for themselves,” Petrov said. The daily adds that parliamentary and Council approvals remain pending and that Petrov also plans a campaign for adequate funding of the European Child Guarantee.

HEALTHCARE

Trud writes in a commentary that Bulgaria’s psychiatric care system faces severe staff shortages, inadequate facilities and weak support after discharge. Its 12 state psychiatric hospitals are unevenly distributed, while community services remain insufficient, the daily notes.

The commentary adds that mental healthcare receives less than 2% of the health budget and that the absence of a unified national register leaves major gaps in the available data. It says the national mental health strategy for 2021-2030 has yet to deliver sufficient practical change.

EDUCATION

Capital writes that PISA 2025 results showing nearly 60% of Bulgarian students functionally illiterate in reading and mathematics expose the need for comprehensive education reform. Capital covers OECD education director Andreas Schleicher’s assessment: “Bulgarian students are not curious,” Schleicher says.

The weekly adds that schools need to prepare children for life, while political debate focuses on compulsory religion classes.