site.btaMedia Review: June 13

WORLD

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and bTV reported that the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has advised citizens in the Middle East, especially in Iraq, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, to follow local security instructions and stay updated due to rising regional tensions after Israel's strikes on Iran. Bulgarians are urged to avoid crowded areas, contact the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate, and register their stay. Hotline numbers for missions in Baghdad, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai are available, and the Situation Centre operates 24/7 for emergencies.

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BNR and bTV reported that GERB leader Boyko Borissov told reporters on the sidelines of Parliament that global security is worsening and Bulgaria needs a strong stance. He warned that any conflict escalation could seriously impact the country, given Iran’s proximity and ongoing military intelligence monitoring. Borissov argued that addressing global challenges requires strong leadership and said even if the President were to call a Consultative Council on National Security, he’s sceptical about whether it would yield effective outcomes.

bTV reported that Borissov argued it was best to secure peace between Iran and Israel swiftly, warning that every war brought heavy consequences. Borissov said: “The country should work toward collaborative peace efforts. In a war, the consequences are severe, and Iran is geographically close to us. Military intelligence conducts continuous monitoring. These challenges are global in scope, requiring strong international leadership to resolve conflicts. War produces no true winners, so a flawed peace is preferable to continued conflict.”

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BNR reported that Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov criticized what he called double standards after Israel’s strike on Iran. He compared the strong reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to the quieter response now and questioned why similar concern was missing. He argued that justifying attacks based on suspicions could lead to global nuclear conflict.

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bTV reported that Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov spoke by telephone early this morning with Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and the heads of Bulgaria’s security services about the heightened tensions in the Middle East. The services reported that there was no direct threat to the country, but airspace surveillance over Bulgaria had been increased. The Foreign Ministry also instructed Bulgarian ambassadors in Israel and other regional countries to maintain regular contact with Bulgarian citizens, while all institutions continued to monitor the situation closely.

EURO ADOPTION

Trud and 24 Chasa write that thousands of opponents of the euro gather outside GERB headquarters in downtown Sofia, block traffic and chant “Resign” and “No to the euro”. Protesters wave Bulgarian, Samara and Vazrazhdane flags, while police maintain a heavy presence.

Organizer Nedialko Nedialkov says the crowd will show GERB the “positive report” of the ECB. Vazrazhdane says the venue lets citizens express “their fierce discontent with GERB and the forced adoption of the euro”.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadinov tells demonstrators that the government is "writing the obituary for the Bulgarian lev and the Bulgarian people”, adds “We will not allow this!” and urges them to instead “write the obituary for the Bulgarian oligarchic class.”

Nedialkov announces a nationwide rally on June 28 in downtown Sofia, and warns that from then on and until July 8, the date of the EU vote, radicalization will follow unless the authorities listen.

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Trud cites a Bloomberg report which says Bulgaria is on track to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, after the European Commission confirmed the country meets the convergence criteria on June 4, 2025. The article notes that Eurobarometer data show the public split “fifty-fifty” over the change. Small farmer Doroteya Kanavrova tells the agency, “I’m against it,” as she arranges tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini at her roadside stall.

Former finance minister Svetoslav Gavriyski observes, “For 28 years, people got used to the currency board and are now worried what will happen without it,” dismisses inflation fears as “stupid rumours,” and insists, “A country has to exit the currency board sooner or later to become a normal country.”

The report recalls that the BGN has been fixed at EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583 since 1999 and that Bulgaria’s GDP per capita remains two-thirds of the EU average. It adds that Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary have postponed euro entry.

Economist Dennis Shen of Scope Ratings argues that policy-makers "could have done a better job informing the general public about the benefits of the common currency, even if talking about adopting a shared currency is a technical issue".

Trud writes that Bloomberg points out that far-right protests led by Vazrazhdane continue nationwide, feeding fears of short-term price rises among low-income groups and pensioners, even as officials highlight the long-term gains of lower borrowing costs and higher investment.

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24 Chasa and Dnevnik say two Finance Ministry surveys leave Bulgarians almost evenly split on euro adoption, with 46.5% in favour and 46.8% against, while 66% of businesses support the switch. Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova tells reporters that “On 4 June, the ECB and the European Commission published convergence reports… We will address public concerns, as the situation is unprecedented and uncertainty can lead to anxiety.”.

Polls indicate that 65.5% of respondents are concerned about prices, followed by worries about fraud. According to Alpha Research head Boryana Dimitrova, many people mistakenly believe that adopting the euro will cut wages and pensions in half while doubling prices. Older adults and residents of small communities are the most apprehensive, so the government's information campaign should focus on these groups.

One-third of citizens feel well informed, yet 60% would like additional information. 74% do not know how long the lev can be exchanged free of charge, and 69% are unaware of the duration for dual price labelling. Half are unfamiliar with the conversion rate for other currencies, and many are concerned that banks may impose fees for cash exchanges, even though trust in the BNB is high. Businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are seeking clarification on accounting, tax reporting, and loan recalculations, with 38% anticipating increased costs for goods, raw materials, and labour.

Despite these uncertainties, 51% of people have made euro payments in the past year, 40% travel to the eurozone, and 69% expect living standards to improve in the long term. Support for Bulgaria’s further EU integration remains stable at 56% among citizens and 64% among companies, according to the report.

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Capital says the government and regulators stage a hyper-active campaign to calm price-shock fears before euro adoption in 2026, brandishing both incentives and threats. Firms that convert prices correctly will receive an Honest Trader sticker, while offenders go on a public “blacklist” compiled by the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and the National Revenue Agency (NRA), which plans to publish shops that raise prices without cause. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov warns: “Any increase in price without elements that objectively justify it will be considered speculation.”

Retail groups fear over-regulation. Fantastico chief Svetoslav Gavrilov argues that “We are not against regulation, but there must be a limit to state intervention… over-regulation and cheap populism demotivate sales teams.” Modern Trade Association director Nikolay Valkanov adds, “The market will penalize those who attempt to artificially inflate prices,” insisting extra State “interventions” should be minimal.

The NRA has begun fortnightly checks on 150 outlets and will demand documents proving "objective economic factors" such as higher wages or energy costs; fines reach BGN 7,000. Business leaders worry that vague rules could let captured regulators harass “uncooperative” companies and even revive ideas like price caps. Meanwhile telecom A1 urges firms “not to hide price changes behind currency conversion” and tech retailer Ardes.bg’s Dimitar Dimitrov says, “Hysteria comes from politicians; business will cope despite the State.”

ECONOMY

Telegraph writes that State institutions pledge to ease labour-market access for people of Bulgarian origin who still lack citizenship and to digitalise residence-permit procedures. Deputy labour minister Natalia Efremova recalls that 2018 amendments already open the market to such workers and presents data showing 1,228 have been hired since then. “They have full access and their rights are fully equal to those of Bulgarian citizens. Their employment is registered by the employer with the Employment Agency within seven days,” Efremova says, adding that electronic services operate from November 2024.

Employer representative Inna Chukur counters that the registration requirement blocks recruitment: “For at least two years, we have encountered issues with the procedures at the Employment Agency… When we submit the required documents, there is still no response from the Migration Directorate, and our applications are rejected.” She warns that refusals force dismissals and court claims and “often discourage us from hiring Bulgarians from abroad.”

The ministry and the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad plan a BGN 26 million ESF+ programme to attract diaspora talent. Efremova explains, “This program, funded by the European Social Fund Plus, aims to recruit personnel from abroad.” Agency deputy director Joanna Dragneva adds, “We hope the portal will be ready as quickly as possible,” noting an online survey gathers questions from expatriates.

Parliamentary committee chair Stoyan Taslakov of Vazrazhdane sees great potential: “The State provides insufficient support for people of Bulgarian origin living abroad. Meanwhile, Bulgaria faces a growing labour shortage, and companies are struggling to find employees.”

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Trud writes that Bulgaria loses 10% of its nurses over the past decade, leaving a shortage of 5 000–17 000 staff and making hospital care critical. Doctors now outnumber nurses, and some facilities use students to fill gaps; even Sofia hospitals record negative nurse-to-doctor ratios.

Trud writes that senior economist Petya Georgieva from the Institute for Market Economics tells Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) that “We have no strict standards on how many nurses should be employed, no requirements for each clinical pathway, which puts them at a disadvantage compared with doctors”. She adds that “the State lacks clear direction in establishing its priorities.” and argues that small pay rises cannot fix “this gigantic problem”; the profession needs a long-term pay plan like the one applied to teachers.

Georgieva points out that EU regulations require at least a three-year programme, while Bulgaria mandates four years and that period could be reduced. She identifies the greater challenge as encouraging more students to enter nursing and remain in the profession.

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Mediapool.bg reports that many Bulgarian companies treat the new EU-driven ESG rules as an administrative “nonsense”, claiming they sap time and money without obvious benefit. Presenting an EY survey of 200 executives across 30 European countries, consultants Boyan Rashev and Klimentina Rasheva note that only 27% of firms whose ESG goals sit inside their core strategy actually record business gains.

The study shows most businesses still separate sustainability from growth: 94% believe installing renewables largely fulfils their duty, and 57% say ESG projects would top the list for cuts in a downturn. Rashev adds that local managers view the reporting mandate as a “foisted cost”, while Rasheva warns that constant data gathering turns ESG into “a distant relative – the aunt from America” rather than a daily practice.

EY encourages companies to integrate ESG into their daily operations and to use Bulgaria’s two-year transition period for formal reporting to align with the more flexible EU regulations currently being discussed.

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Capital writes that the long-promoted personal bankruptcy bill reaches its final parliamentary stage, yet specialists warn it is conceptually flawed and may overwhelm the courts while hurting the very debtors it should help. Although the legal committee cleared the text at second reading a fortnight ago, the plenary vote stalls while the Justice Ministry drafts last-minute amendments that must be tabled directly in the chamber.

The measure is mandated by Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, but experts argue it replicates corporate insolvency procedures, resulting in a process that is slow, expensive, and inflexible, rather than providing the quick and affordable relief intended for low-income consumers. Once proceedings start, debtors may experience years of frozen accounts with no access to funds, and judges are concerned that a surge in filings could overwhelm the system. Due to impending Brussels deadlines, there is little opportunity for significant revisions or delays, so only minor adjustments to mitigate negative effects are expected before implementation.

DEFENCE

Dnevnik and Mediapool.bg report that Defence Chief Emil Eftimov calls the F-16 Block 70 “We acquired a warplane. We need to ensure that our pilot can achieve mission success upon take-off. This aircraft offers advanced capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, air-to-air combat, and precision strikes against both land and maritime targets,” adding that Bulgarian pilots undergo "long, complex, difficult training in the US… far beyond what is required for Air Policing."

Bulgaria has taken delivery of two out of the 16 fighter jets purchased from the United States for approximately BGN 5 billion, but the timeline for achieving full operational capability is uncertain. Defence analysts estimate that this will take at least two years. Eftimov notes that the Air Force may combine F-16 and MiG-29 duties during the transition—“We can, by some mixed method for a certain period, start with the F-16 while the MiG-29 also carries duties, but our goal is to realise the full capabilities of the aircraft,” he says.

Each aircraft has two trained pilots, which Eftimov calls "a good ratio" and "a fresh start for aviation”. He insists “Everything will be fine with the aircraft… They fly, they are serviced… We have no information about anything wrong with it."

Key hurdles include a shortage of long-term pilot capacity and the unfinished Graf Ignatievo air base, whose upgrade bill has risen from BGN 300 million to more than BGN 500 million.

SOCIETY

Trud and 24 Chasa write that Interior Minister Daniel Mitov orders a second autopsy and fresh forensic tests after the death of 36-year-old Yavor Georgiev, pledging to “pursue every possible avenue to uncover the truth”. Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov also commissions an independent medical panel and assigns a state investigator to determine the role of each of the four arresting officers.

Mitov removes Varna police chief Andrey Angelov to restore public trust following protests sparked by footage that shows two policemen striking Georgiev while he is handcuffed on the ground. Toxicology from the Military Medical Academy indicates cocaine taken two to four hours before death, combined with alcohol, produces a highly cardiotoxic cocaethylene mix.

Mitov says: “De-escalation techniques were available but not utilized in this situation... Police authority was exceeded,” and stresses the need to tighten discipline. He adds that “Body cameras protect both the citizen and the police officer” and will pursue disciplinary action against officers who do not activate their body cameras.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov orders reviews at the Interior and Health Ministries, arguing that "The time for analyses and alignment between the political and professional leadership of the Interior Ministry ended long ago" and demanding full enforcement of the law. GERB-UDF’s Kostadin Angelov wants facts on the unused cameras before discussing resignations, while Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair Delyan Peevski asserts that Mitov should remain in his position and urges the relevant authorities to establish responsibility on an individual basis, rather than assigning collective blame.

24 Chasa writes that the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) reintroduces a bill to amend the Interior Ministry Act so that body cameras become mandatory for police officers instead of merely regulated by ordinance. This is the second attempt after an unsuccessful bid in February 2024.

MP Ivaylo Mirchev tells Parliament, “We tabled the proposal after the violence outside the stadium and the murder in Stara Zagora… If it had passed then, that boy would be alive,” and argues that Boyko Borissov, rather than Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, should explain to Yavor Georgiev’s mother why GERB blocked the change.

Mirchev also questions the ministry’s tender for 15,200 body cameras worth BGN 58 million, asking, “Why is the procurement price for a body camera set at BGN 4,000 when comparable devices are available for a quarter of that cost?”

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Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported that GERB-UDF deputy chair Kostadin Angelov appeared on a morning show and said that “The Interior Ministry is run by Minister Mitov… we have not withdrawn our confidence from him; on the contrary, we expect quick results from the ministry’s professional leadership.” He added that having an acting rather than permanent secretary “makes no difference to duties and responsibilities”, arguing that society must “restore trust in police officers and doctors”.

Angelov connected these expectations to the recent salary increase for officers, noting that improved performance is now required. Questioned about making body cameras permanently active, he observed that legislation already covered the devices and noted the ministry owned 4,000 units, so he awaited Minister Mitov’s inquiry into why cameras were not used during Yavor Georgiev’s arrest.

He insisted the coalition was not discussing Mitov’s resignation and wanted clarification on why Georgiev had been taken to psychiatry instead of toxicology. Angelov also condemned the “inhuman” conditions found in illegal elder-care homes and recalled that the 2021 Recovery Plan earmarked BGN 750 million to build and renovate facilities, a programme he expected the current government to restart.

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Nova TV reported that GERB leader Boyko Borissov did not demand Interior Minister Daniel Mitov’s resignation over the death of Yavor Georgiev in Varna but warned that “his adjustment period is over” and results were now expected. Borissov noted that two arresting officers, the local precinct chief and the regional police director had already been suspended after the 36-year-old died in custody.

Borissov said Mitov had been tasked with improving relations between the Interior Ministry and citizens and insisted that if the minister failed, “the issue of his resignation will be brought up”. He added: “Police officers require comprehensive training to ensure proper conduct during detentions. When officers act beyond the scope of their authority, they should be held accountable.”

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Duma writes that Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov and Stara Zagora regional governor Nedelcho Marinov meet after the Administrative Reform Council session to address the inhumane conditions in illegal care homes disguised as guest houses in Yagoda and Govedartsi. “We are closely monitoring the situation with concern. Recent events once again demonstrate the extent of the issues facing our society. We cannot afford to lose any time in addressing these challenges,” Zafirov says.

The government confirms it will complete the refurbishment of all state homes now under repair and is investing more than BGN 750 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to renovate 81 nursing homes and create 254 social-care services for people with disabilities. The meeting also covers social policy and regional infrastructure. Zafirov accepts an invitation to visit Stara Zagora next week after the Council of Ministers meeting, where he plans to inspect local challenges and review the reconstruction project for the Buzludzha Monument.

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Trud says Sofia University Sv. Kliment Ohridski hosts 1,394 foreign bachelor and master students in the 2024/2025 academic year, 351 of whom come from EU member states. The students arrive from 62 countries spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America. All sixteen faculties admit international learners, with the Medical Faculty attracting 386, the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology 155, the Faculty of Education and Arts 141, the Faculty of Philosophy 125, the Faculty of Economics 111 and the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy 97. The university notes that the number of overseas students continues to rise.

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Trud and 24 Chasa write that Sofia mayor Vasil Terziev warns some of the capital’s most iconic cultural events face serious difficulties because the Ministry of Culture delays or withholds funding. He says festivals such as Kulturama, A to Jazz and Sofia Live Festival, which bring joy to thousands of residents, fall outside the state’s priorities. The ministry has yet to announce its current financing programmes, and events already held – including Antistatic and Sofia Film Fest – receive significantly less money than in previous years.

Terziev warns that uncertainty threatens upcoming festivals, artist participation, and event logistics. He notes that while these events are included in the municipal cultural calendar with city support, the responsibility should not fall solely on the municipality and private sponsors. Cultural life, he adds, requires state support and should remain above political conflicts, demonstrated through action.