site.btaMedia Review: November 21

PROTEST – BUDGET

Mediapool: Thousands protested in Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv demanding the release of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and former Sofia deputy mayor Nikola Barbutov, who have been detained for five months on corruption allegations. In Sofia, demonstrators gathered near a symbolic “pink piggy bank” installation, marched through the city, and blocked traffic, while similar protests occurred in Varna and Plovdiv. Protesters criticized political interference in the judiciary, called for justice, and opposed the 2026 budget, which they say favors public-sector employees over independent professionals. Leaders from Continue the Change emphasized civic protest as a way to resist political pressure and support the detained officials.

***

“The fact that we are entering the eurozone cannot help but worry Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB),” said GERB leader Boyko Borissov to journalists in Parliament in connection with Thursday night’s protest in central Sofia over the parameters of the 2026 state budget, BGNES reported, quoted by bTV.

“These protests are about one thing - preventing the adoption of a budget in euros,” Borissov said.

The GERB leader stressed that he does not know what the CC-DB leaders said during the protest, but noted that these are the same people who arrested him - Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev. “Just the administration of Sofia Municipality alone is a thousand people,” he added. Speaking about the protesting citizens, Borissov stated that “the best thing is to protest.” According to him, the aim of the protest is to occupy Parliament and prevent the adoption of the first budget in euro.

“I’m dissatisfied too, and I agree with what businessman Petkov said - that prison bars forge leaders. Thanks to his bars, I restored GERB and the strength of GERB. He’s right! In my view, we should amend the elections legislation so that it grants privileges to everyone who has spent time in detention - from their side and from ours - and give them a bonus of 10, 15, 20 MPs,” Borissov added. He was referring to his own arrest in 2022, along with his former finance minister and with GERB's PR officer, under the government led by Continue the Change. Borissov was promptly released and the court later declared the arrest unlawful. Other media outlets also cover Borissov’s reaction to CC-DB’s proposed protest against the 2026 State Budget Act’s adoption, which was initially staged to protest against the ongoing detention of Kotsev and Barbutov.

***

24 Chasa: Bulgaria will pay a BGN 120 Christmas bonus to 536,000 low-income pensioners whose monthly pensions are below the poverty line of BGN 638. The measure, costing BGN 64 million, was proposed by GERB leader Boyko Borissov and approved by the ruling coalition to be paid with December pensions. Over 1.5 million other pensioners will not receive any bonus.

Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov has until 20 December to propose criteria for expanding the aid next year to all low-income citizens.

SANS CHAIR HEARING

Dnevnik: Bulgaria’s Parliament held a short and tightly controlled hearing for Denyo Denev, the sole candidate to lead the State Agency for National Security (SANS). The governing majority - GERB, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms - shielded him from substantive questioning, blocking several opposition inquiries on procedural or confidentiality grounds.

Denev, whose academic and professional background drew criticism, received only supportive questions from the ruling parties and did not offer detailed justification for his nomination. The majority is expected to confirm him in a plenary vote after recently fast-tracking legal amendments that bypassed President Rumen Radev’s earlier refusal to appoint him.

Opposition MPs attempted to question Denev about alleged links between Bulgarian politicians and Russian intelligence, his reversal of an expulsion order in a corruption-related case, and his 2023 report that resulted in the suspension of machine voting. Many of those questions were cut off by committee chair Manoil Manev.

Denev listed his priorities as staff development, institutional coordination, and strengthening SANS as an international partner. He denied knowledge of any list of employees slated for dismissal and stressed the principle of political neutrality, giving brief answers regarding political contacts or interactions with the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Ruling-party MPs accused the opposition of political pressure, while opposition MPs criticized the majority for shielding Denev from scrutiny.

JUSTICE

Mediapool: A teacher from Sofia was held for four hours by a police team and tested twice for drugs before a positive result appeared. The story of Petar Matev was reported by Nova TV.

Matev, who is also a former police officer from Sofia’s Fifth Police Precinct, was stopped for a check in January. The breathalyzer showed no alcohol, and his first roadside drug test was negative. However, he said that the officers kept him for four hours until another team arrived to administer a second drug test, which tested positive for amphetamines. He was arrested for 24 hours, and his car was confiscated.

He then waited eight months for the result of his blood test. In the end, it came back negative. Matev went to retrieve his car from the police impound lot. Upon leaving, he was pulled over once again for another check, which was also negative.

The Interior Ministry has offered no explanation. This is yet another case of a false positive test, after which an innocent person must deal with the cumbersome system for months.

The problems became particularly visible in the summer of 2023, when amendments were adopted allowing the confiscation of cars belonging to drunk or drug-impaired drivers. These provisions were introduced without any preparation, and since only four laboratories in the entire country process blood samples for drugs, results take months. Meanwhile, roadside tests often produce false readings.

For two years the Interior Ministry has promised new laboratories to speed up the process. None have been established so far.

***

Bulgarian National TV: A panel of the Sofia District Court, chaired by Velizar Kostadinov, sentenced former police officer Simona Radeva to five years in prison for helping Georgi Semerdzhiev hide after the serious 2022 car crash that resulted in two deaths. Radeva must serve the sentence effectively. The court also imposed a signature bail measure and a ban on leaving the country. The former police officer appeared in court wearing a mask, hat, and hood, concealing her face. She refused to make any comment. Today, for the first time, Radeva gave an explanation, but it took place behind closed doors at the request of her defense.

The court determined that there was a risk of sensitive information from her personal life being disclosed. The prosecution had requested two years with a four-year probation period. In her right to a final statement, Radeva asked to be acquitted. Her lawer, Ivo Naydenov, said they will appeal the sentence.

Other media outlets also cover the news of Radeva’s sentencing.

ECONOMY – LABOUR MARKET

Capital: Rising labor costs are making Bulgaria’s largest employers cautious about hiring, according to the latest “K100” ranking, which now lists the top 300 companies by employee numbers. These companies employ 379,000 people, about 17% of the national workforce. Hiring continued mainly in retail chains, arms factories, BPO centers, and telecoms, while auto parts manufacturers saw notable layoffs.

The average gross monthly salary reached BGN 2,549 in Q3, up 12% year-on-year but stagnant since March. Sofia leads with BGN 3,474, while half of Bulgaria’s regions remain below BGN 2,000; the lowest salaries are in Kyustendil, Vidin, Smolyan, and Haskovo (< BGN 1,800). Public sector salaries average BGN 2,662, 6% above the private sector, with ICT (BGN 5,500+), finance (BGN 3,716), and energy (BGN 3,539) topping the charts. Administrative activities, construction, and education saw the largest year-on-year salary growth (16–17%).

Among entry-level or junior specialists, Data Science offers the highest net salaries (BGN 2,250–4,050). Professionals with 2–5 years’ experience earn most in DevOps (BGN 5,500–10,100), while senior roles (>5 years) in IT Management, DevOps, and Java development command top salaries, with IT Management reaching BGN 8,000–13,667 and DevOps up to BGN 11,751 net per month.

***

Standart: Rising wages in Bulgaria’s tourism sector are reshaping the industry and driving up prices for services, according to Prof. Rumen Draganov. He notes that salary increases are part of aligning with EU standards rather than due to new taxes or licensing requirements. Receptionists now earn BGN 2,400–3,000, while hotel managers command annual salaries of EUR 70,000 - 120,000 to remain competitive.

Prof. Draganov emphasizes that higher pay is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified staff, which directly impacts service quality. He is optimistic about the upcoming winter season, predicting a growth of about 190,000 tourists compared to last year. Bulgaria’s appeal lies in better flight connections, new destinations, positive visitor experiences, tranquility, and lack of over-tourism, positioning the country as a competitive and attractive destination. 

SOFIA RING ROAD – EXTENSION

Mediapool writes that the final 8-kilometer stretch of the Sofia Ring Road, from the National Historical Museum to the Struma Motorway, is projected to cost BGN 2 billion, or BGN 250 million per kilometer. The high cost is due to complex engineering requirements, including a 700-meter twin-tube tunnel, a 1.5 km viaduct, river crossings, and road interchanges.

The project will also provide access to the future National Children’s Hospital. The Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) and Sofia Municipality will oversee construction, with an engineering contract (design and build) planned. Public procurement is expected in 2026, with BGN 33 million allocated for design. Construction is set to start in 2027.

Continue the Change leader Asen Vassilev criticized the projected costs as “complete outrage,” noting that similar projects under the Atlantic Ocean cost around BGN 50 million per kilometer, far below the planned expense for Sofia. RIA responded that the estimate reflects the technical complexity and urban challenges of the route.

EURO INTRODUCTION

Bulgarian National Radio: Vice President Iliana Iotova criticized the Government for blocking discussion on a referendum for the introduction of the euro, arguing that the ruling majority fears it would reveal their inability to manage rising prices. She said there is no need for the President to resubmit the referendum request to Parliament, as the Constitutional Court ruled that former Parliament chair Nataliya Kiselova had violated the Constitution with her unilateral decision to halt the process.

Iotova stressed that the government has delayed the debate, leaving citizens without the opportunity to express their opinion, and argued that the time to hold the referendum has “irreversibly passed.” She highlighted that current economic concerns, such as prices outpacing incomes, make the Government’s avoidance of discussion even more apparent.

WATER SHORTAGES

Duma: As of November 17, 23,344 people are affected by water supply restrictions, which is 210,000 fewer compared to the same period last year, it was reported during Thursday’s meeting of the National Water Board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov.

According to data presented by the Bulgarian Water Utilities Holding, as of November 17, 2025, within the territory of the holding’s subsidiary companies, water supply restrictions affect two towns and 72 villages. The total population impacted is 23,344 people. By comparison, at the same time last year, 12 towns and 244 villages were under water restrictions, affecting 244,212 people - 210,000 more than this year.

Zafirov commented that this result is due not only to natural conditions but also to the coordinated efforts and ongoing work of the Board.

SOCIETY – HEALTH

Trud: A major Europe-wide STADA health survey shows that Bulgarians rate their physical and mental health surprisingly high despite having some of the unhealthiest lifestyle habits in Europe. Only 40% lead a healthy lifestyle (below the EU average of 51%), while smoking, high consumption of coffee and energy drinks, and alcohol are widespread. Young, educated, and higher-income Bulgarians tend to live healthier and drink less.

Two-thirds of Bulgarians say they are in good physical health and 80% in good mental health, although 60% report having been close to burnout. Preventive care is more common among women and older adults. Trust in the healthcare system is low: only 37% are satisfied with it and just 28% believe it is fair. Bulgarians also have a negative attitude toward elder-care homes, with two-thirds unwilling to place a relative in one and most rejecting the idea for themselves.

UKRAINE WAR – PEACE PLAN

Mediapool writes that the Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the United States has delivered a 28-point draft peace plan proposing to end the war with Russia. According to the statement, Ukraine is ready to “work through the plan’s provisions in a way that could lead to a just end to the war,” but no public text was shared.

Independent media outlets citing U.S., Russian, and European sources—including Axios, the Financial Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal—report that the plan would require sweeping concessions by Ukraine, including relinquishing parts of the Donbas currently under its control, sharply reducing its military, surrendering certain categories of weapons, and effectively abandoning its NATO ambitions for years.

In exchange, Russia would gain sizable economic relief: Ukraine may be pushed to support the lifting of Western sanctions, and war-crimes investigations into Russian forces could be terminated or curtailed, according to Bloomberg. Some reports even suggest an amnesty clause for war crimes.

One striking element of the proposal would be classifying parts of Donbas as leased to Russia - Kyiv would nominally retain legal ownership, but de facto control would be ceded, a structure likened by insiders to a “land-tax” arrangement. The plan would also bar foreign troops from Ukraine, and permanently limit Ukraine’s long-range missile capabilities.

As a counter, Moscow is purportedly prepared to legally enshrine in the deal a commitment not to attack Ukraine or other European countries again.

A U.S. delegation led by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has arrived in Kyiv, reportedly to press Ukrainian leaders to accept the plan. Meanwhile, some European officials are warning that the plan dangerously favors Moscow’s interests and may have been drafted without adequate consultation with Ukraine or its Western allies.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said any agreement “must have the support of Ukrainians and Europeans.” She added that Western capitals were not consulted in drawing up this proposal, and stressed that “discussions about Ukraine’s future cannot take place without Ukraine.”

The Kremlin, however, has played down the media buzz, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling Reuters that there is “no innovation” to report beyond what was agreed in the August summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

***

Dnevnik contributes to the topic as well by saying that Ukraine is ready to negotiate over a new peace plan drafted by the United States with participation from Russia. This became clear after President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Kyiv on Thursday evening with a U.S. military delegation led by US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.

Zelensky said that they discussed ways to achieve peace and that both sides committed to working on the plan to end the war with Russia.

“Our teams - Ukraine and the United States - will work on the points of the plan to end the war. We are ready for constructive, honest, and prompt work,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram after the meeting.

According to the BBC, Zelensky will speak with President Donald Trump about the plan, which reportedly includes territorial concessions by Kyiv as well as cutting the Ukrainian army in half.

So far, the White House has only confirmed the existence of the plan without providing any details about its content.

Media outlets claim that the document was prepared by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev - an official close to Vladimir Putin who formally oversees foreign investment in Russia.

However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Witkoff had been working on the plan over the past month and had consulted both sides.

She added that senior Trump administration officials met with Ukrainian representatives last week to discuss the plan, which is supposed to be acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia. Rubio and Witkoff attended those meetings.

The Trump administration is holding good talks with both parties in the conflict on how to end the war, Leavitt said, adding that the president “is frustrated with both sides for refusing to engage in a peace agreement,” but is not giving up on attempts to reach one. She said the “United States is working on a detailed and mutually acceptable plan to stop the killing and create a durable, long-lasting peace.”

“I know there is a lot of criticism and many skeptics, but I would simply remind you of the historic success that this president and his team achieved in the Middle East,” Leavitt said, referring to Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN.

***

24 Chasa: According to the proposed 28-point plan, Moscow would become a tenant of the occupied territories, while Kyiv would have to cut its army in half.

The new U.S. peace proposals for ending the war in Ukraine include lifting sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported, citing a source familiar with the contents of the proposals.

Information about the new peace plan emerged late Wednesday, when numerous Western outlets reported that Washington had negotiated with Moscow behind the backs of Ukraine and Europe to draft a 28-point plan aimed at ending the three-year conflict in Eastern Europe.

These negotiations were reportedly led by senior American diplomats, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. They, in turn, consulted with Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and an adviser to Vladimir Putin.

The most striking component of the Russian-American strategy appears to be a proposal for Ukraine to relinquish the remaining parts of Donbas it still controls. In exchange, the Kremlin would commit to paying rent to Kyiv for the seized territories, while Ukraine would retain its legal claims to them.

President Zelensky has repeatedly stated in the past that he would not agree to any concessions in Donbas. The area currently held by Ukrainian forces is strategically important for several reasons. It contains Ukraine’s strongest and most fortified defensive positions on the front line, which Russian troops have unsuccessfully attempted to break through for three years, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War.

Bulgarian National TV also covers the topic.