site.btaMedia Review: August 27

POLITICS

In Bulgarian National Television’s (BNT’s) morning talk show, Democratic Bulgaria Floor Leader Nadejda Iordanova said the opening of the new parliamentary season coincides with an assessment of the government’s first 100 days, which she described as falling short of its promise of “normality”. She argued that public debt is increasing, the middle class faces the prospect of higher taxes and Bulgaria’s influence in European decision-making has weakened.

Iordanova warned of a risk of new taxes in 2027, saying workers are receiving less while employers are paying more for wages as a result of the 2026 state budget.

She also challenged the government’s claims about decentralization. While municipalities have welcomed the promise, she said the governing majority recently rejected a Democratic Bulgaria proposal aimed at ensuring more financial resources remain with municipalities and city districts. Raising property tax assessments, she argued, should not be presented as decentralization, since it would increase the burden on citizens and businesses.

Iordanova described Democratic Bulgaria as a “constructive right-wing opposition” despite the government’s solid parliamentary majority. She pointed to a recent example in which the governing parties withdrew a controversial amendment to the Consumer Protection Act following opposition criticism. According to her, the proposal would have created legal uncertainty over administrative penalties and the delivery of official acts and had been strongly criticized by businesses.

PROGRESSIVE BULGARIA MPs’ ASSETS

Online news outlet Mediapool.bg publishes a thorough report titled “Who Owns What in Progressive Bulgaria: When Declarations Speak Louder Than MPs”. According to the article, four months after Progressive Bulgaria’s election victory, more than 100 of its 131 MPs remain largely unknown to the public. The party mostly puts forward around a dozen more experienced representatives for media appearances, while the rest are reportedly being trained “on the job”.

Their asset declarations, however, offer a glimpse into the wealth of the parliamentary group. No declarations can be found for 22 MPs on the Audit Office’s website, meaning there is no publicly available information on the assets of nearly 17% of the group. Four others have declarations filed as former municipal councillors rather than as MPs.

Meanwhile, 14 MPs disclosed the exact addresses of their properties, while one even included bank account IBANs in his declaration.

Among the wealthiest are Konstantin Prodanov, Zdravko Markov and Georgi Grigorov. Prodanov declared loans worth more than EUR 1.1 million, EUR 600,000 in corporate bonds, investments in mutual funds and significant bank deposits. Markov reported more than EUR 1.8 million in mutual funds, EUR 158,250 in a venture capital fund, nearly EUR 100,000 in cryptocurrency, EUR 320,000 in cash and substantial bank deposits. Grigorov declared more than EUR 1.4 million and USD 500,000 in bank accounts, along with EUR 1 million in corporate bonds.

At the other end of the spectrum are MPs with substantial debts. Zdravko Ognyanov has two mortgages totalling BGN 740,440 against an apartment bought for BGN 214,134, while Plamen Karashev has just EUR 680 in his bank account but owes nearly EUR 97,500.

Some MPs stand out for their extensive property holdings. Vesela Momcheva-Taun has declared 13 properties, while Petar Todorov owns 10 properties outright, plus several jointly owned ones. Several MPs also own property abroad, primarily in Greece, as well as in the UK and Belgium.

The parliamentary group includes six Porsche owners, two Tesla owners, at least eight motorcycle enthusiasts and two boat owners. The most expensive Porsche belongs to former volleyball player Vladimir Nikolov, who paid EUR 90,000 for it.

Agricultural holdings are particularly striking: Malomir Vlasov owns 159 plots of farmland, vineyards and other agricultural land covering nearly 250 hectares, while former deputy agriculture minister Todor Dzhikov has around 53.4 hectares of farmland.

SECURITY

In a bTV interview, acting Interior Ministry Secretary General Lyubomir Nikolov said police have questioned numerous people in connection with the case of a powerful GPS jammer discovered at a property in Sofia’s Dragalevtsi neighbourhood, but not Razmig Chakaryan, known as Ami. The jammer was discovered at a property whose registered owners are companies, leading to Chakaryan, as said by Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev. Nikolov said Chakaryan will be questioned, along with all other people linked to the properties used by him and searched by police. He did not say whether the Interior Ministry knows Ami’s current whereabouts. Nikolov said those questioned so far include people connected to the properties, employees of the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) and officials from other institutions involved in detecting the GPS jammer, which was powerful enough to interfere with aircraft signals. He also acknowledged that the National Revenue Agency had been aware of the purchase of the equipment, while the CRC operates a notification regime governing such activities. The Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA) alerted the State Agency for National Security (SANS) after aircraft radio-frequency signals were disrupted. DANS subsequently referred the case to the Interior Ministry.

Dnevnik.bg also covers Nikolov’s interview on the topic.

CORRUPTION IN DEFENCE SECTOR

The 24 Chasa daily frontpages an article titled “Lt. Colonel Fired amid Suspected Abuse Involving Hundreds of Millions in Army Contracts”. According to it, the Military Police Service and the Military Prosecutor’s Office have launched an investigation into alleged corruption and abuses involving defence contracts. The Defence Ministry has already made its first dismissal in connection with the probe, removing Lt. Col. Ivan Hasamski, a senior official responsible for armaments policy. The Ministry confirmed that Hasamski was dismissed after a pre-trial investigation was opened under the supervision of the Sofia Military District Prosecutor’s Office. The probe began in June after the Ministry referred contracts involving advance payments made without bank guarantees to prosecutors. Some of the contracts allegedly involved forged documents, 24 Chasa reports.

According to the daily, the investigation concerns projects related to the modernization of the Graf Ignatievo Air Base, where more than EUR 300 million has already been invested, while the facility is still incomplete. The original cost estimate was about BGN 300 million, but spending continues to rise and could eventually reach BGN 1 billion (some EUR 500 million). Some contracts for the air base were awarded without competitive tenders under security-sector exceptions to public procurement rules. Among them were four contracts worth around BGN 500 million (some EUR 250 million) for F-16 fighter hangars.

The case also touches on a wider investigation involving former MRF MP Dzheyhan Ibryamov, who was arrested in 2024 with BGN 100,000 in marked cash. He is accused of accepting the money in exchange for influencing Defence Ministry officials and securing contracts for the construction of the F-16 hangars. 24 Chasa said it had no information that former deputy defence minister Adelina Nikolova, whose portfolio included military modernization, is currently part of the investigation.

WARS IN IRAN AND UKRAINE

In Nova TV’s morning talk show, political scientist and international security expert Iskren Ivanov commented that the war in Iran is unlikely to end soon, as any agreement between US President Donald Trump and Tehran would amount to an understanding between the two governments rather than a lasting peace formula. Ivanov stressed that Israel’s interests are not part of any potential US-Iran agreement, creating an additional obstacle to a durable settlement. He also argued that the Trump administration is factoring the upcoming US elections into its foreign policy decisions, amid expectations that Democrats could make significant gains in Congress and cause political gridlock.

According to Ivanov, the conflict in Ukraine also has conditions for an end, citing Ukraine’s strong drone capabilities and Trump’s willingness to establish a “red line” between the country’s two sides. At the same time, Russia has an interest in pushing the conflict “a little further west”, he said. Ivanov described CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s brief visit to Moscow as part of the traditional dialogue between Washington and the Kremlin aimed at clarifying positions over Iran and preventing further escalation between the nuclear powers. He warned that the future of the region remains highly uncertain, saying Iran is unwilling to back down and that any agreement reached from now on would likely be only temporary. The consequences of the instability are already being felt through higher fuel and gas prices, while disrupted maritime routes and damaged oil infrastructure are adding to the pressure.

AGRICULTURE

In a BNT interview, Agriculture Minister Plamen Abrovski said Bulgaria’s food-price problem has persisted for years and is rooted in a dysfunctional supply system. He rejected claims that the euro caused recent price increases, saying prices had already risen in 2024 and 2025, before the currency change. Abrovski stressed that controlling food prices and ensuring affordable, quality food requires a long-term process covering the entire chain, from production and supply through regulation to the consumer. He also called for greater cooperation among Bulgarian producers, arguing that the retail market is highly concentrated, with one major chain accounting for nearly 71% of the market. According to him, producers are disadvantaged because they are numerous and depend on centralized distribution facilities operated by large retailers. Abrovski proposed enabling producers to establish their own regional distribution warehouses, saying this would strengthen their position and help ensure a more stable supply of food to shops.

FISHING 

The Trud tabloid daily frontpages an article titled “Fishermen Celebrate as Atlantic Bonito Arrives Early”. According to the text, fishermen along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast are reporting an unusually early and abundant bonito run, with the first catches appearing in mid-August instead of the usual September season. The Mediterranean horse mackerel has also been plentiful since May, while fishermen say large schools of bonito are now being caught from the southern coast near Atiya and Chernomorets to Varna, Kaliakra and the northern border.

Fishermen say the bonito currently weigh around 350-400 grammes and could reach 500 grammes by the end of August. The 2025 season was exceptionally poor, but this year’s warm waters and abundant European anchovy, the bonito’s main food source, have created ideal conditions. Fishermen expect the season could eventually produce large, well-fed fish known locally as turuk.

According to fisherman Viktor Luchiyanov, climate change may not be the only factor behind the abundance. The war in Ukraine has virtually halted commercial fishing in the northern Black Sea, while military activity and sonar use have affected dolphin populations. Regional environmental authorities have recorded 117 dead cetaceans along the northern coast since the beginning of 2026.

The abundance has already pushed the price of horse mackerel down to around EUR 3 per kilogramme, while fresh bonito is selling for EUR 5-9 per kilogramme depending on location. Industry representatives say Bulgaria should use the upcoming Eurovision hosting in Burgas to promote its Black Sea fish alongside its natural and cultural attractions.

Fishermen also warn that bonito must be properly cleaned and kept cold, as poorly handled fish can develop histamine and cause allergic or stomach reactions.

CHILD JUSTICE

In a Trud lead interview, child justice expert Prof. Neli Petrova-Dimitrova said that Bulgaria is more than 40 years late in establishing a modern child justice system, while rising youth crime and the emergence of radicalized groups expose serious institutional failures. Her comments came after the Ombudsman and Justice Minister announced plans to draft a new Child Justice Act.

Petrova-Dimitrova said the reform should focus on the child’s best interests and restorative justice, but warned that previous attempts failed amid institutional resistance and a lack of professional capacity. Bulgaria records around 6,000-7,000 crimes committed by children annually and about 1,000 convictions, while only a small number of minors receive effective prison sentences. She argued that the current system often waits until offenders turn 18 instead of responding to early warning signs.

A major weakness, she said, is the reliance on part-time “public educators” rather than specialized professionals. The system also lacks structures designed to reintegrate children rather than deepen their alienation. The juvenile facility at Boychinovtsi, effectively a prison for minors, should be replaced by modern structures combining necessary restrictions with rehabilitation, she told Trud.

Petrova-Dimitrova identified youth radicalization as a relatively new and increasingly serious problem in Bulgaria, arguing that institutions often fail to recognize or respond to warning signs. She called for examination of how authorities and families respond before violent incidents occur, as well as specialized training for professionals working with children.

The planned law should establish specialized judicial panels and stronger cooperation between institutions, with experts from universities and NGOs involved in drafting it. Restorative justice would shift the focus from punishment toward taking responsibility, repairing harm and reintegrating offenders into their communities through measures such as mediation and family conferences. Such approaches, she stressed, can complement punishment even in serious cases, helping young offenders understand the consequences of their actions and improving their chances of rehabilitation.

PROPOSED REFORMS IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Speaking to Bulgarian National Radio, former deputy health minister Mihail Okoliyski said that the Bulgarian healthcare system needs stability rather than “noise and problems”, commenting on the resignation of State Chief Health Inspector Angel Kunchev. He said Kunchev was deeply disappointed by the decision but had chosen to resign after years of respected service.

A day earlier, in a Facebook post explaining his decision, Kunchev said the planned reform of the state health control system could seriously hamper the work of the Regional Health Inspectorates (RHIs), particularly in emergencies. He argued that removing their operational independence would limit their ability to respond quickly and independently to situations threatening public health, while a new territorial directorate model could make decision-making slower and more bureaucratic.

Okoliyski said the recent actions of the Health Ministry and government have created growing anxiety among healthcare professionals, arguing that experts with years of experience should be consulted before major changes are made. He stressed that genuine reform must be evidence-based and address systemic problems such as out-of-pocket payments, unequal access to healthcare and the oversupply of services in some regions. He criticized plans to restructure the RHIs and abolish the Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products, saying administrative restructuring should not be presented as healthcare reform. Okoliyski voiced particular concern over changes to RHIs, which he described as the Health Ministry’s “eyes and ears” on the ground and an important part of national health security. Excessive centralization, he warned, could weaken local expertise and the ability to respond quickly to outbreaks.

The situation in Lovech Region, where more than 80 measles cases have been recorded since late March, illustrates the importance of effective local health control, according to him. The regional inspectorate has also alerted authorities over three doctors suspected of documenting mandatory measles vaccinations that may not actually have been administered. According to Okoliyski, vaccine hesitancy is partly the result of years of political messaging that has undermined public confidence in vaccines, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

He concluded that trust is the biggest deficit in Bulgaria’s healthcare system, arguing that real-world health crises demonstrate the need for effective action more clearly than administrative restructuring plans.