site.btaMedia Review: March 24

HEADLINES

Tuesday’s print media focus on rising prices, cross-border shopping, and pressures on households and infrastructure. 24 Chasa leads with a report that Bulgarians are increasingly travelling to Serres, Greece, where food prices are said to be around 30% lower, reflecting growing sensitivity to the cost of living. The paper also highlights strong turnout expectations among Bulgarian voters abroad in the United States and the United Kingdom despite limits on voting sections, and notes that 355,000 pensioners continue working to increase their pensions.

Trud places emphasis on costs affecting both consumers and drivers, reporting that traffic police fines generate significant daily revenues and that diesel prices have exceeded EUR 1.60 per litre. The newspaper also observes continued interest in purchasing properties in need of renovation, reflecting trends in the real estate market.

Telegraph focuses on housing and law enforcement, reporting that garage prices are approaching those of residential properties, while also noting detentions related to election violations and personnel changes in the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.

Leading interviews touch on education, health and transport. 24 Chasa features Miglena Temelkova, who calls for attracting students from Asia and exporting Bulgarian higher education abroad. In Trud, cardiologist Petar Chipev warns that the spring time change may pose health risks such as heart attacks or strokes. Telegraph quotes municipal councillor Karlos Kontrera, who says rising prices may reduce the availability of public transport in Sofia.

Analytical pieces examine the delayed impact of rising oil prices on inflation, regional political tensions related to North Macedonia (24 Chasa), and investment behaviour, including the tendency of Bulgarians to hold significant wealth in real estate (Telegraph).

Morning programmes on national television on Tuesday focus on politics, public policies, international developments and social issues. Bulgarian National Television (BNT) highlights the upcoming parliamentary elections, examining the programmes and promises of candidates. The programme also features athlete Bozhidar Saraboyukov, bronze medallist from the World Athletics Championships, and includes a discussion with the head of the National Toll Administration, Prof. Oleg Asenov, on toll fee collection and possible price changes. Other topics include preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease near Bulgaria’s borders.

bTV presents a wide range of topics, starting with environmental concerns over the sharp decline in sparrow populations in Bulgaria over the past two decades. The programme also discusses energy efficiency in housing, with expert Kremen Georgiev noting that partial renovation of individual apartments does not lead to real savings. Reports highlight a municipal initiative in Kazanlak to provide locally grown food for kindergartens, as well as ongoing infrastructure problems faced by residents waiting for road improvements. Political commentary by Toma Bikov focuses on competition ahead of the elections and the need for stable governance. Additional segments cover the weather outlook and a human-interest story about a family affected by the theft of a donation box for a sick child.

Nova TV focuses on geopolitical tensions and domestic political dynamics. Analyst Martin Tabakov comments that the regime in Iran is becoming more radical and less inclined toward negotiations. Former prime minister and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria Co-Floor Leader Nikolay Denkov says his political force is ready to support the election of new members of the Inspectorate and the Supreme Judicial Council together with former president (2017-2026) and Progressive Bulgaria party leader Rumen Radev, while Violeta Komitova criticises the previous government over the use of funds for road infrastructure. The programme also explains how the EU’s rapid response mechanism against disinformation works. Other reports cover a protest in Sofia’s Filipovtsi neighbourhood over illegal constructions and the case involving the theft of a donation box for a sick child in Stara Zagora.

The morning interviews of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) focus on the environment, healthcare, social policy, the economy and elections. Environmentalist Dimitar Popov from “Green Balkans” says there are currently no indications of a serious ecological disaster along the Northern Black Sea coast, despite reports of dead seabirds and dolphins. Health economist Arkadi Sharkov warns that municipal hospitals are struggling to cope with financial pressure and competition, which is drawing staff away and putting public healthcare facilities at a disadvantage.

Social policy is also in focus, with Asya Goneva from CITUB arguing that it is unfair for the maximum pension not to increase. In the economic sphere, investor Ivo Dimovski notes that many people approach real estate as a quick way to make money without sufficient knowledge, which carries risks. Tourism sector representative Petar Stoyanov says the situation in the Middle East is affecting the industry, describing it as an “aftershock” similar to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

On election preparations, Vanya Nusheva, adviser to caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, says there is sufficient time to train members of sectional election commissions, stressing that this is the responsibility of higher levels of the election administration.

POLITICS

24 Chasa reports a sharp increase in interest in voting abroad ahead of the April 19 parliamentary elections, with over 46,000 applications submitted, a rise of more than 50% compared to the previous vote. The surge is most notable in the United Kingdom and the United States, following recent legal changes limiting the number of voting sections outside the EU. In the UK, applications have jumped more than fourfold, while in the US they have nearly tripled, raising concerns that many voters may face long distances and queues due to the reduced number of sections. Authorities are considering opening additional polling stations in embassies and consulates, although logistical constraints remain. At the same time, overall interest in voting abroad is growing across several countries, while traditional strongholds such as Turkey have seen a decline in applications. The report also notes a significant rise in election-related signals and investigations, which officials interpret as increased public sensitivity to electoral irregularities.

ECONOMY

Mediapool reports that a private project for a carbon capture and storage (CO₂) facility in Bulgaria has failed due to a lack of sufficient state support and administrative obstacles. The project, which aimed to develop infrastructure for capturing and storing carbon emissions, was expected to be financed with European funds but did not progress as planned. According to the article, the difficulties have prompted a new attempt with a Greek partner, as investors seek to revive the initiative in a different format. The case highlights broader problems related to regulatory uncertainty, institutional delays and the state’s limited capacity to support complex energy and environmental projects. The publication notes that such projects are important for meeting EU climate targets, but Bulgaria risks falling behind if it cannot create stable conditions for their implementation.

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24 Chasa reports that thousands of Bulgarians are increasingly travelling to the Greek city of Serres to shop, attracted by food prices that are up to 30% lower than in Bulgaria. The trend is particularly visible on weekends, when parking areas are filled with Bulgarian cars, mainly from southwestern regions and Sofia. Key products such as olive oil, dairy, fish and vegetables are significantly cheaper, while some non-food items also show notable price differences. According to the article, the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria has further facilitated cross-border shopping by removing currency-related barriers. Beyond lower prices, consumers are also drawn by what they perceive as better quality and more transparent promotions. The influx of Bulgarian shoppers is benefiting local businesses in Serres, which have adapted by offering services in Bulgarian and targeting these customers more actively. The publication notes that the phenomenon reflects growing sensitivity to living costs in Bulgaria, with consumers seeking better value abroad, especially ahead of the Easter holidays.

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Trud reports that traffic police fines in Bulgaria generated an estimated BGN 300 million (EUR 153 million) in 2025, or around EUR 420,000 per day, based on over 3.1 million recorded violations, according to Interior Ministry data. Despite the increased number of sanctions and higher fines introduced through legislative changes, Bulgaria continues to have some of the most dangerous roads in the European Union, the Institute for Road Safety notes. The article highlights that nearly half of all violations were detected through speed cameras, while the recently introduced system for measuring average speed has so far had limited impact. At the same time, funds collected from fines are channelled into a road safety fund, but critics argue that the money is not being effectively used for improving infrastructure. The Institute for Road Safety calls for reforms, including directing a larger share of the funds toward road infrastructure and accident prevention, increasing transparency and limiting spending on equipment and vehicles. The publication also notes concerns about the lack of accountability and delays in publishing audit reports related to the fund.

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Telegraph reports that prices of garages and parking spaces in major Bulgarian cities are rising sharply, in some cases approaching or even exceeding those of residential properties in the same areas. The trend is driven by strong demand for parking and limited supply, particularly in central urban zones. The article gives examples from Sofia, where a 23 sq m garage in the city centre is offered for nearly EUR 96,000, or over EUR 4,300 per sq m, surpassing the price per square metre of nearby apartments. Similar patterns are observed in Burgas and Varna, where garage prices reach between EUR 3,000 and EUR 4,200 per sq m, while rents in high-demand areas can exceed EUR 200 per month. According to real estate experts, the shortage of secure parking spaces has created a market imbalance, turning garages into highly valuable assets. In some cities, property owners are increasingly renting out garages or even private yards as parking spaces, reflecting growing demand and limited availability.

EDUCATION

24 Chasa features an interview with Rector Council head Miglena Temelkova, who argues that Bulgaria should pursue an active policy of “exporting” higher education and attracting foreign students, particularly from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She stresses that international students can serve as long-term ambassadors for Bulgaria and contribute economically through tuition, consumption and labour market participation. Temelkova criticises the current model of higher education funding as outdated and overly restrictive, noting that universities lack financial autonomy and struggle with rising costs, with salaries consuming the bulk of their budgets. She also points to bureaucratic and legal barriers, including visa restrictions and accreditation requirements, that hinder the opening of Bulgarian university branches abroad and limit international competitiveness. According to her, reforms should focus on easing visa regimes, changing the funding model and reducing administrative obstacles, which would allow universities to generate their own income and reduce reliance on state subsidies. She adds that Bulgaria risks losing its position in the global education market due to high tuition fees and lack of strategic policy, while recent efforts have focused on keeping talented Bulgarian students in the country through targeted support programmes.

HEALTHCARE

Trud features an interview with sleep specialist Dr Petar Chipev, who warns that the switch to daylight saving time in spring can negatively affect health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular incidents such as heart attacks and strokes due to disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm. He explains that sleep problems, including insomnia, are increasingly common and often linked to stress, lifestyle factors or underlying medical conditions. According to Chipev, both the quantity and quality of sleep are crucial, with regular sleep schedules playing a key role in maintaining overall health. The interview also highlights the risks associated with sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea, which can lead to serious long-term health consequences if untreated. Chipev advises against self-medication and recommends seeking professional help, noting that sleep issues are often complex and require targeted treatment rather than quick fixes.