site.btaMedia Review: July 30

HEADLINES

An Alpha Research survey of the Government's first 100 days leads Thursday's political coverage. 24 Chasa and Trud write that 42% of respondents approve of the Cabinet and 33% disapprove, while Prime Minister Rumen Radev records 48% approval and 31% disapproval. Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and bTV also reported the poll, including President Iliana Iotova's ratings of 50% approval and 29% disapproval; Bulgarian National Television (BNT) covered its other main findings.

Economic coverage centres on the Cabinet's effort to protect EUR 800 million under the Development of Regions Programme 2021–2027 and preliminary talks over Schneider Electric's possible acquisition of Shelly Group. 24 Chasa and Capital report both stories, with Bloomberg putting Shelly's possible valuation at about EUR 1.3 billion.

Other prominent subjects include a prosecutorial review of a corruption case involving the Burgas water utility, alleged irregularities in an investigation into a fatal road crash, the country's long-standing water-sector problems and bones believed to be mammoth remains exposed by the low Danube near Ryahovo.

POLITICS

24 Chasa writes that a nationally representative Alpha Research survey of 1,000 adults, conducted July 17–23, 2026, finds that 42% rate the Cabinet positively and 33% negatively. Radev's personal rating is 48% positive and 31% negative. Iotova records 50% approval and 29% disapproval, although fieldwork ended before she declared her presidential candidacy. Sociologist Boryana Dimitrova says prices, corruption, healthcare and road safety are the areas where public concern most clearly exceeds satisfaction with government action. "The Government is not politically vulnerable, but it is vulnerable in terms of results," Dimitrova said.

Trud also reports the poll, noting that 32% consider the Cabinet competent, while about 25% disagree. BNR, bTV and BNT reported the same headline figures. BNR added that Progressive Bulgaria (PB) led with 41.6% support, followed by GERB with 13.1%, CC with 6.6%, Democratic Bulgaria (DB) with 6.1%, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) with 5.2% and Vazrazhdane with 4%. bTV noted that trust in Parliament had reached about 20%, its highest level since 2011, although negative assessments still prevailed, and that National Assembly Chair Michaela Dotsova remained relatively unknown. BNT added that 21% gave no positive or negative assessment of the Prime Minister.

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Dnevnik writes that CC Chair Assen Vassilev says CC and other parliamentary groups will ask the Constitutional Court to review the 2026 State Budget Act. This follows Iotova's decision to promulgate the Act rather than veto it because a veto would deepen financial uncertainty. "The decision reduces the President's administration to the Government's press service," Vassilev said. On July 28, 2026, CC submitted a petition with more than 32,000 signatures seeking a veto.

The daily adds that GERB-UDF has prepared a separate application, citing the projected deficit of 5.7% of GDP against the Public Finance Act's 3% ceiling. An application requires 48 MPs; GERB-UDF has 39 and CC 16. DB says a court challenge will not prevent the budget from taking effect, while Vazrazhdane opposes the Act but will not join the GERB-UDF and CC initiatives.

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Nova TV reported that CC Floor Leader Nikolay Denkov identified 13 disputed provisions and said four warranted an application to the Constitutional Court. One concerned the possible suspension of a disability pension following information about abuse, which Denkov said undermined the presumption of innocence. He also questioned the Cabinet's claim that EUR 3 billion had been reserved for inherited liabilities and said CC's application would remain separate from GERB-UDF's.

The broadcaster added that Denkov described Andrey Gurov as the most widely discussed potential joint presidential candidate among CC and its partners. He personally supported Gurov and ruled out negotiations with GERB-UDF on a common candidate.

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BNT reported that National Assembly Deputy Chair and CC MP Stoyu Stoev also backed Gurov as a possible candidate, although CC had not yet taken a formal decision. Stoev expected coordination with DB and the Forum for Democratic Action. He said the budget contained more than BGN 3 billion in unspecified expenditure and over BGN 1.8 billion in capital spending without identified projects. CC calculated that removing the unspecified allocations would reduce the deficit from 5.7% to about 3.1%.

Stoev also said CC would challenge provisions tying magistrates' pay to MPs' remuneration because they could undermine judicial independence. BNT noted that he expected the candidate supported by CC to defeat Iotova in the October 25, 2026 election.

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bTV reported that PB MP Stoyan Trichkov became the new Parliament's first sanctioned MP after calling opposition members liars and manipulators. "I told the truth. I cannot change my mind," Trichkov said. He accepted the reprimand but defended the substance of PB's declaration.

Trichkov said Budget 2026 aimed to settle bills left by the previous administration. He said the 5.7% deficit reflected the fiscal reality. He added that the National Children's Hospital was a PB priority but construction could not begin until court proceedings concerning its design had ended.

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BNR reported that DB MP Atanas Slavov called on Radev to propose legislative and constitutional solutions to prosecutorial inaction after Radev criticized prosecutors for obstructing major corruption investigations. Vazrazhdane MP Angel Yanchev separately accused Radev of abandoning eight election pledges, including raising incomes, dismantling the model associated with GERB leader Boyko Borissov and MRF Chair Delyan Peevski, ending financial aid to Ukraine and introducing Religious Education in schools. "Start delivering on what earned you the confidence of Bulgarian citizens," Yanchev said.

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BNT reported that Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov backed Iotova as the candidate best placed to preserve what he called the country's course towards normalization. He said only Iotova could choose her running mate and urged PB supporters to mobilize. "It is important that these elections be won by Iotova, a predictable, reliable and proven politician," Hristov said.

Hristov also supported the promulgation of Budget 2026 and said revenue would exceed the target. He said an inherited bilateral agreement required the deployment of US tanker aircraft at Bezmer Air Base and described the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest as a major opportunity for tourism.

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Mediapool.bg writes that PB is considering public funding for private media that produce public-interest content. Parliamentary Culture and Media Committee Chair Anton Kutev proposes a guaranteed annual share of GDP for public-service media and competitive co-financing of children's and cultural programmes produced by private outlets. "All media should have a public function," Kutev said.

The website notes that the dormant Radio and Television Fund could become a broader media fund. The 2026 State Budget Act requires Minister of Culture Evtim Miloshev to propose amendments to the Radio and Television Act by September 30, 2026. Mediapool adds that project selection could be subjective, particularly for investigative journalism, and points to Romania's alternative of allowing citizens to direct 3.5% of their income tax.

ECONOMY

24 Chasa writes that the Cabinet plans to replace slow-moving projects under the Development of Regions Programme 2021–2027 with projects nearing completion, enabling it to submit claims totalling EUR 800 million to the European Commission by the end of 2026. The daily reports that contracts cover 59% of the funds, while 15% has been paid out and 4.4% declared. Proposed allocations include EUR 75 million for St Anastasia Children's Hospital in Burgas, EUR 75 million for municipal projects, EUR 265 million for the Sofia metro and new public transport vehicles, and EUR 27 million for urban mobility in nine other municipalities.

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov says a EUR 127 million procedure for small and medium-sized enterprises in the coal regions is being cancelled after an audit found manipulated criteria and assessments. A replacement procedure is planned. "There is a danger the money will be irretrievably lost because of a lack of reform, vision and responsibility," Pekanov said.

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Capital also reports on the plan to protect EUR 800 million, saying contracts cover 50% of the funds and less than 10% has been paid out. It adds that the Just Transition Fund exceeds EUR 1.4 billion, or 44% of the programme, and that EUR 340 million must be paid by year-end. Five procedures based on financing not linked to costs are expected to secure at least EUR 293 million by the end of 2026.

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24 Chasa writes that Shelly Group is in preliminary talks with Schneider Electric over a possible tender offer. Bloomberg puts the potential price at about EUR 70 per share, valuing Shelly at approximately EUR 1.3 billion. Shelly says it is uncertain whether an offer will follow and, if so, what its terms and timing would be. The news sent Shelly shares up more than 10% at one point to EUR 64.4 in Frankfurt, while the gain on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange approached 6%.

Capital also reports on the talks and notes that a transaction at a similar valuation would rank among the country's largest mergers and acquisitions. Shelly CEO Dimitar Dimitrov owns 28.84% of the company, while co-founder Svetlin Todorov holds 27.79%. Preliminary revenue for the first half of 2026 exceeds EUR 68 million, up more than 27%, while net profit in 2025 exceeded EUR 25 million.

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Capital writes that Bulgarian companies increasingly regard employer branding as a strategic priority but rarely measure its business impact. A WorkVibes survey of 150 organizations across 11 industries, covering more than 40,000 employees, finds that two thirds have a formal strategy. Only 17% use defined performance indicators, 13% have a dedicated team and 5% invest in measuring results.

The weekly adds that 87% use LinkedIn, while job advertisements account for 61% of their content and only 48% publish employee stories. Brandfluence founder Evelina Stoyanova says internal culture should come first. "Efforts must start from the inside out, first with the people in the organization and only then with those outside it," Stoyanova said.

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Telegraph reports that draft amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act could require an energy-efficiency assessment for almost all residential buildings. Property sale and rental advertisements would have to show a building's energy performance, and prospective buyers and tenants would also have to receive the information.

The daily adds that certification may require a costly building survey, energy-consumption analysis and improvement recommendations. Property developers question how the requirement would apply to an individual flat when certificates cover entire buildings. Enforcement, deadlines and oversight remain the principal weaknesses in the existing system.

SOCIAL POLICY

Nova TV reported that Minister of Labour and Social Policy Nataliya Efremova ruled out tax increases to cover the deficit and defended changes affecting four-hour employment contracts. She said the changes were intended to distinguish length of service from social-insurance record, curb fictitious part-time employment and ensure that contracts and social-insurance rights reflected the work actually performed.

Efremova rejected claims that a disability pension could be suspended merely on the basis of a report, saying the provision concerned false medical documents identified in criminal proceedings. "In any event, it must be above EUR 620," Efremova said of the 2027 minimum wage. She also said she would propose a higher incentive, possibly 75% of the benefit, for mothers who returned to work before the end of parental leave. Her ministry expected savings of about 10% through expenditure cuts and the removal of vacant posts.

JUSTICE

Mediapool writes that acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova has ordered a review of proceedings against former Burgas Water and Sewerage Company head Tsvetan Mirchev after Radev accused prosecutors of obstructing corruption investigations. Radev says testimony in the case implicates a person with immunity and concerns large-scale abuses and payments to party coffers. The Sofia City Prosecution Office says the evidence does not identify anyone with immunity and that it returned the case to Burgas, where three prosecutors recused themselves. "Who employs these people: the state or organized crime?" Radev said.

The website notes that Mirchev and investor-control officer Ilcho Boev are accused of intentional mismanagement involving more than EUR 300,000 paid for borehole-cleaning work that investigators say was not performed. Stefanova's review is to establish whether prosecutors committed violations warranting disciplinary action.

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Dnevnik writes that an elderly man died a month after a car driven by Deyan Dimitrov, then bodyguard to acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, struck him on a Sofia pedestrian crossing on October 4, 2024. A surveillance recording that was reportedly in the case file when an expert examination was ordered on August 5, 2025, is now missing. A court has overturned the termination of the proceedings, and the investigation has resumed.

The daily notes that the investigator and supervising prosecutor were replaced and that the newly assigned supervising prosecutor terminated the case on February 24, 2026, one day after receiving it. Dimitrov was appointed deputy director of the Justice Ministry's General Directorate Security while the proceedings were pending. Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) member Atanaska Disheva says the Justice Minister's expanded appeal powers are useful but adds that the current Council could remain in office. "The SJC in its current composition looks convenient," Disheva said.

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Trud writes that Minister of Justice Nikolay Naydenov has asked for disciplinary proceedings to be opened against Varna notary Zhelyo Kostov over property transactions in the Baba Alino forest area. He filed a similar request against notary Veselin Petrov on July 10, 2026. The daily reports alleged links among the properties, Ukrainian-owned KYB Corporation and Odesa businessman Oleg Nevzorov, while the allegations have not been tested in court.

Inspectors reportedly found repeated failures to verify identity, legal capacity and representative authority, missing declarations, and transactions involving parking spaces or yards on land designated as forest territory. Possible sanctions include a reprimand, a fine of EUR 500 to EUR 2,500, or suspension for three months to five years.

DEFENCE

Trud writes that Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov says the Government is seeking MiG-29 aircraft from Poland and Hungary solely for spare parts, not to form a new squadron. The Government has also asked the US Department of Defense and Sweden about used F-16 and JAS 39 Gripen fighters, although Stoyanov does not expect a positive response. "We have enough aircraft, but we need spare parts," Stoyanov said.

The daily adds that no ordered MiG-29 parts have been delivered since 2021. Continued operation of the MiG-29 fleet is linked to the delayed delivery of Bulgaria's second batch of eight F-16s.

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BNR reported that Bezmer residents and Vazrazhdane supporters would protest again on July 30, 2026, against the planned deployment of US tanker aircraft and military personnel at Bezmer Air Base. The peaceful protest was scheduled for 6 p.m. outside the Yambol Regional Administration, followed by a march to the municipal building.

The radio added that the previous protest, held near the air base on July 24, 2026, drew participants from Sofia, Plovdiv, Sliven and elsewhere in the country. There was no official confirmation that any tanker aircraft had landed at the base or how many were present.

HEALTHCARE

Telegraph reports that St Anastasia Children's Hospital in Burgas has received its licence to provide medical services, a major step towards opening. It will have 142 beds across 26 units and offer treatment in 27 medical specialties.

The daily adds that the hospital is intended to serve the regions of Burgas, Yambol and Sliven, a catchment area of more than 1.5 million people. Paediatrician Blagomir Zdravkov has been chosen to manage it and expects the hospital to begin operating during the summer season.

EDUCATION

Capital carries a commentary by human-rights lawyer Snezhana Stefanova examining PB's bill to make Virtues and Religions a compulsory subject. The bill would be introduced gradually from first grade in the 2028/2029 school year, with three tracks: Orthodoxy; Islam; and non-confessional Virtues, Ethics and Civic Education. The estimated annual cost is about EUR 3 million.

Stefanova says that dividing children by religion, providing individual tuition when too few choose the non-confessional track, and limiting confessional programmes to faiths followed by more than 8% of the population risk forcing pupils to disclose their beliefs and exposing them to discrimination and stigmatization. Based on 2021 census data, only Eastern Orthodoxy, at about 65%, and Islam, at about 10%, would clear that threshold. She proposes a single objective, critical and pluralistic comparative course for all pupils, with confessional teaching remaining elective, no record kept of pupils' religion and no 8% threshold.

ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE

Mediapool.bg writes that favourable reservoir levels and fewer water restrictions in 2026 mask structural weaknesses in the water sector. Omurtag, home to about 5,000 people, and 32 villages with a combined population exceeding 12,500 remain under long-term restrictions. BGN 1 billion was injected into Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding in 2020, yet water losses nationwide remain above 60%. In Pleven, losses rose from 65% in 2020 to more than 75% in 2024, while Sofia's concessionaire Veolia has reduced them to 34%.

The website contrasts this with France's target of increasing recycled-water use from under 1% to 10% by 2030, Hungary's network of 127 automated monitoring stations and Lithuania's digital infrastructure management. Draft national strategies remain unapproved, while more than EUR 400 million under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan is reportedly frozen because reform has stalled. Former caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Assen Lichev says water should be treated as a strategic national-security resource and proposes a unified real-time water-balance platform, with utility funding tied to measurable results. "Bulgaria has sufficient water resources, but they are not managed properly," Lichev said.

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24 Chasa writes that low water levels in the Danube near the village of Ryahovo have exposed bones believed to be mammoth remains. A local resident found them and alerted the Regional History Museum in Ruse.

Telegraph also reports the discovery, adding that specialists will recover and examine the remains to establish their species and age. The outlets differ on which bones are visible, so the identification remains preliminary.