site.btaMedia Review: March 25

As Bulgaria prepares for the April 19 elections, Wednesday's media attention has centred on disinformation, vote-buying and potential coalitions. Other key stories include the Justice Minister's efforts to have a new acting Prosecutor General appointed, fuel and food prices, fiscal policy, recycling, online scams, and an international Cyrillic forum.

HEADLINES

Telegraph leads with the news that food prices are rising daily, with vegetables at markets now costing roughly twice as before. The cheapest green lettuce now sells for EUR 1, and a bunch of spring onions or garlic also costs around EUR 1. Traders say the high prices are driven by rising fuel costs.

24 Chasa leads with news about car insurance premiums, which will be linked to accidents involving the vehicle in the past five years. The introduction of the bonus-malus system, under which insurers will calculate the cost of mandatory third-party liability insurance, is finally set to take effect with a prepared ordinance. Another front-page story says it is a 40% spike in fertilizer prices and not fuel costs that could bring about hunger.

The front-page story in Duma quotes Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Krum Zarkov as saying that the party will insist on the State acquiring or participating in the transformation of ownership of the Maritsa East mining and energy complex.

ELECTIONS

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) interviewed Center for the Study of Democracy expert Rositsa Dzhekova, co-author of a report titled "Defending the Vote: Policy Responses to Information Warfare in Bulgaria". She said the influence infrastructure has been developed over many years, meaning that Bulgaria does not rely on large imports of disinformation campaigns like those seen in Western Europe. This country has an internal infrastructure for amplifying disinformation, including a network of pro-Russian websites producing around 6,000 articles per month, about 8 articles per hour, timed to human activity. Foreign narratives are absorbed, translated, adapted and spread locally, while Telegram and AI-generated TikTok content further amplify these messages, often without proper platform labelling. To counter this, authorities should coordinate across institutions with a unified and transparent communication strategy, rapidly respond to false information, and work with online platforms. The focus should be on protecting public trust, countering attempts to sow doubt about the electoral process, and reducing political apathy, polarization and voter demobilization. Dzhekova also mentions disinformation on a wide range of topics, including the euro, inflation and fuel and electricity prices, geopolitical issues, efforts to undermine support for Ukraine, calls to lift sanctions on Russia, and attempts to weaken NATO and the EU. These topics often overlap and feed into one another.

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Mediapool.bg compares the similarities and differences in the visions of Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria, and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) on the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the dismantling of the oligarchic model, based on their programmes and rhetoric. The online media outlet says they are the only clearly declared anti-corruption forces among the main parliamentary contenders identified by polls. By the same measure, GERB, supported by MRF-New Beginning, does not acknowledge corruption and oligarchic influence as serious state problems. This suggests that, if all parties follow their stated platforms, Progressive Bulgaria could find common ground only with CC-DB. The key to reforms is the number 160, mediapool.bg says. It appears that this election campaign is the first in which key players have stressed that what matters is not just the 121-seat majority in the 240-seat parliament needed to form a government, but a 160-vote majority. That is the number of MPs required for a constitutional majority to elect a new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), which in turn appoints a new Prosecutor General.

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24 Chasa has interviewed Stoil Stoilov, an electoral expert, who has observed elections in over 20 countries, including Nigeria, Cambodia, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Guyana. He identifies several flaws in Bulgaria's election process: Political influence in election commissions, as parties have effectively "captured' election results by placing their people in the commissions. Vote-buying: an estimated 10% of voters (200,000-250,000 people) in Bulgaria are willing to trade their vote. Ballot secrecy measures: this time voting screens were introduced to prevent pre-filled ballots from being submitted, allowing officials to monitor the voter's movements. Phantom voters in electoral rolls: a problem that could be easily resolved, but the parties have no incentive to do so.

Stoilov explains the logic behind vote-buying in Bulgaria. Certain groups, such as Roma living in isolated communities, are largely indifferent to who holds power; their vote only gains value when parties offer cash, typically around EUR 50. Political parties also employ intermediaries who organize bulk vote-buying, often supplementing their income between elections through illicit activities like drug trafficking, prostitution or tax fraud. He notes that while the police have a limited role, election results are effectively certified by the political parties themselves. All election commissions, especially those in the voting sections, are dominated by party appointees, reflecting the composition of the outgoing parliament. In small rural sections with only 30-35 voters, a seven-member section commission is standard, in contrast to countries like Bangladesh, where a single male precinct of 600 voters is managed by just three officials.

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BNR interviewed Deyan Kolev, Chairman of the Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, who said that a growing share of Roma voters are openly refusing to sell their votes. Roma are more likely to vote for candidates who represent or advocate for their interests, even if the candidates are not themselves Roma. However, while Roma candidates are beginning to appear on party lists, they are placed in non-electable positions. No political party is openly addressing issues specific to the Roma community, which Kolev views as a mistake. Young Roma largely share the interests of young Bulgarians, focusing on issues such as environmental protection, better education and specific concerns like preventing school aggression and early marriages, as well as ensuring fair elections free from vote-buying.

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Trud has an analysis by literary historian and translator Rosen Tahov, who lists the campaign gimmicks that have got Bulgarians go to the polls since the late 19th century: demagogy and populism, compulsory voting, and vote buying among the Roma.

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On an inside page, Telegraph says voting machines will undergo at least 126 different checks. The Ministry of Electronic-Government has launched the procedure for certifying the devices. The methodology approved by the Ministry outlines all the steps for the four expert teams testing the machines, which include staff from the institutes of standardization and metrology.

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bTV featured an interview with CC-DB candidate in Sofia, Katya Paneva, who discussed key political issues, the coalition's priorities and the challenges facing the country.

JUSTICE

Mediapool.bg reports that Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov asked the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) on Tuesday that the case concerning the "perpetual" mandate of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov be referred to the Court of the European Union. The SAC is currently reviewing the case against the SJC Prosecutors Chamber's refusal to replace Sarafov. The Prosecutors Chamber argues that it appointed Sarafov through a legally valid administrative act until a permanent appointment is made, and that the matter cannot be reconsidered. This appointment took place three years ago. The Justice Minister maintains that the position of acting Prosecutor General cannot exist in a rule-of-law state where the principle of fixed terms in public office is respected. In addition, Yankulov is asking the Court of the EU to confirm that the Prosecutors Chamber does not have the authority to appoint a Prosecutor General, including an acting one.

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On BNT, Chief Inspector Zlatka Padinkova, head of the National Police Service's Frauds Unit, discussed crime statistics for 2025 and explained the mechanics of online romance scams. She noted that while overall registered crimes decreased by 6.6% compared to 2024, phone scams increased by 36%. Padinkova said romance scams start with intense online communication, often via social networks or dating sites, where victims are "love-bombarded" to build trust and emotional attachment. Victims are then persuaded to transfer money or share banking information, usually benefiting international criminal schemes, often operating from African countries. Even after reporting to police, the communication continues, and victims' data may be circulated within criminal networks.

ECONOMY AND FINANCE

On BNT, Andrey Delchev, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Oil and Gas Association, said this is the most serious oil crisis so far. The good news is that prices are 3% lower today than on Tuesday, following the statement by the US President that an agreement with Iran is being sought to achieve a ceasefire. Although Iran denies this, Asian markets reacted, and prices fell by 3%.

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Interviewed by Nova TV, Ventsislav Pengezov, owner of a petrol station in the city of Ruse, said that the government's monthly financial support of EUR 20 per person for the most vulnerable groups will not cover the additional costs caused by rising fuel prices. "If you previously filled up for EUR 100, the same amount of fuel now costs around EUR 140," he said, also reporting a drop in consumption. Across Europe, reserves are being released and prices reduced, with Spain and Italy even cutting excise duties.

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In an analysis of Bulgaria's fiscal policy in Trud, Plamen Nenov, Principal Research Economist at Norges Bank and Secretary of the Bulgarian Council for Economic Analyses with the Council of Ministers, argues for a reform of the tax and social security system. Bulgaria's public finances are entering a period of persistent structural imbalance between revenues and expenditures, driven by several factors. He identifies the main problems: population ageing; the convergence of the Bulgarian economy; the growing need for higher public investment; and the gradual exhaustion of the scope for further natural expansion of the tax base and increases in additional tax revenues as a share of GDP under the current tax and social security model. The policies that would address those problems are: reform of the tax and social security system, including tax rate changes and harmonization with other EU countries, stronger tax compliance; adjustments to social transfers, including pension replacement rates and retirement age; reform of the scope of public services (education, healthcare, public order); and prudent use of additional government debt to cushion shocks and finance public investment.
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24 Chasa features an analysis of the next major global crisis by Petya Minkova. The next global crisis will differ from past shocks in several ways. First, it may be triggered by an avalanche of government debt rather than private-sector failures. Second, a massive AI-driven tech bubble adds unprecedented financial risk; the concentration of capital in just a few companies has prompted UBS analysts to warn of a potential scenario of a severe AI crash. Third, the future crisis unfolds amid intense geopolitical disruption, including US-China tensions. Fourth, job losses from automation and AI could hit immediately, unlike delayed effects in previous crises. Fifth, traditional global safety nets like China with its prosperous economy may no longer cushion the impact.

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Trud quotes data of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) showing that sales of petrol and diesel cars are declining in Bulgaria and across the EU, while demand for electric and hybrid vehicles is rising. In Bulgaria, registrations in the first two months fell 9.6% for petrol (5,304 cars) and 20.9% for diesel (756 cars) compared to last year. Hybrid car sales more than doubled (+117%), plug-in hybrids rose by 49%, and fully electric vehicles increased by 41% (397 cars). A total of 6,984 new cars were sold in Bulgaria in the first two months of 2026, down by 5.4% year-on-year.

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Interviewed by Bulgarian National Radio, Danita Zarichinova from Za Zemyata (For the Earth) environmental association discusses the hurdles to recycling in Bulgaria. It is limited by a lack of separate collection bins - many places have none - and current waste fees are not linked to what people throw away. While coloured bins now contain mostly recyclable waste, improving participation requires motivation and a system where fees reflect disposal. Meeting the EU's target of separating 90% of plastic bottles by 2029 urgently requires the introduction of a deposit return system in Bulgaria.

CULTURE

Trud has interviewed Prof. Ivan Marazov, a specialist in art history, cultural and Thracian studies, ahead of the March 25-26 Third International Cyrillic Forum organized on the initiative of President Iliana Iotova. Asked what sets this forum apart from others, he says it demonstrates the President's commitment to culture, heritage and memory. In today's age of extreme individualism, personal memory is largely shaped by politically engaged media that cater to the whims of those in power, both domestic and European, says Marazov. As a result, memory loses its individuality. Unlike collective memory, which is long and enduring, personal memory is short, easily manipulated and ready to follow any new direction.

Bulgarian National Television (BNT) interviewed Prof. Jan Stradomski, head of the Department of Bulgarian Studies at the Institute of Slavonic Studies at the Jagiellonian University, about the event and the opportunities it offers. Bulgarian studies have a long-standing tradition at that university, as well as at other higher education institutions in Poland.

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Nova TV features an interview with Jakob van Beelen from the Netherlands, who has lived in Veliko Tarnovo for 13 years. He is a kilim collector and has amassed over 1,100 Bulgarian kilims purchased from around the world, some of which he has donated to the Bulgarian Kilim Foundation. One of his kilims dates back to the time of the Chiprovtsi Uprising against Ottoman rule (1688), making it the oldest Bulgarian kilim extant. The collection will be registered in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences' lists as a cultural heritage asset.

HEALTH CARE

Trud looks at problems in emergency medical services, which face a severe staff shortage, with over 350 physician vacancies nationwide and young doctors often leaving after just a few months to work abroad. In Sofia, where at least 80 ambulance teams are needed per day, only 10-12 are operational, sometimes reaching 15. With doctors earning a base salary of around EUR 1,100 and facing immense pressure and lack of recognition, half of all emergency centre positions remain unfilled. As a result, people seeking help are often advised to call a taxi rather than wait for an ambulance, as non-life-threatening patients are far more likely to be transported quickly by private means than by the overstretched emergency services.

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24 Chasa quotes abortion statistics for 2025 from the National Center of Public Health and Analyses. Over 17,000 abortions were performed, including 92 on girls under 15, 39 by their own choice, and nearly 1,600 on teenagers aged 15-19, with 935 elective. Around 9,000 women over 30 and 7,000 aged 20-29 had an elective abortion, while the remainder were spontaneous. Sofia recorded the highest number with 3,072 abortions, including nine on girls under 15. Plovdiv followed with 2,192, over half of them elective, mostly among women over 30.