site.btaMedia Review: July 7

The topic of Bulgaria joining the eurozone dominates Monday's news media.

ECONOMY

24 Chasa's front-page story reads that because of the upcoming entry in the eurozone, banks in Bulgaria are reducing fees as early as in July to make the transition from lev to euro easier. There will no longer be a fee for deposits in BGN, counting coins and banknotes, and others services. In a related article, the daily reports that the second and third pensions of Bulgarians will be calculated correctly in euro to the last penny. 

Trud reports on its front page that "the shenanigans" with prices in BGN and EUR have already started, long before the requirement for prices of goods and services to be announced in both currencies is to come into force. The labels used by a number of retailers often mislead consumers as to what the real price is, and people buy something thinking there is a promotion but actually see the price in EUR rather than in BGN. A check by the daily shows that in one of the methods used by a large retail chain to display prices in both currencies, the signs for EUR and BGN are written in such small print that even a person with excellent eyesight can hardly see them. To add to the confusion, there are a few prices that are crossed out. As a result, the judgement as to what the true price in BGN is, is left to the discretion of the buyer.

On Bulgarian National Radio, European Commission Representation in Bulgaria head Yordanka Chobanova reflected on the political and historical significance of the introduction of the single European currency in Bulgaria. "This year, Bulgaria became a full member of Schengen. This is one of the symbols of Europe and contributes to the development of the European market. The second very symbolic and transformative force is the euro. What has happened with the positive reports of two institutions - both the European Commission and the European Central Bank - is a step forward in this process of Bulgaria's full integration into the European family," Chobanova argued. She quoted one of the latest Eurobarometer surveys, which shows that 83% of citizens in the euro area support the single currency. Support for the euro in Croatia is 64% - much higher than when the country joined the euro area. This is a result of stability and economic growth, she noted. In her words, the eurozone gives confidence to investors. There is also a very positive effect on the labour market - increasing wages, more employment. Latvia and Estonia have managed to attract a lot of investment in the technology sectors. The euro is proving its positive value and is having a real effect on everyone's life, Chobanova told Bulgarian National Radio.

Bulgarian National Television's morning show was dedicated to governance decisions  ahead of Bulgaria joining the eurozone; the Opposition's moves and the implementation of priorities by the power holders. Gabriela Rumenova of the Nie, Potrebitelite [We, the Consumers] platform answered questions about the introduction of the euro, such as how loans will be re-calculated, for how long one will be able to exchange BGN for EUR, and what the benefits of the euro are. It transpired that Bulgarian Posts will exchange BGN for EUR starting January 1, 2026 for citizens in small settlements where there are no banks to offer this service; a total of 2,230 post offices will provide this service. One person can exchange up to BGN 1,000 at the post office; for a sum between 1,000 and 10,000, that person will have to make a preliminary request and wait for up to three workdays. The service will be free until the end of June 2026.

On bTV's morning show, former finance minister Vladislav Goranov commented on the upcoming introduction of the euro in Bulgaria. "The richer we get, the higher prices will be. Whether it is measured in lev, in euro or in another currency, the price change will always be upwards. Yes, there will probably be upward price inflation every year, the European Central Bank's mandate is that it should be 2%, no more. Nor is deflation healthy - less than 2%, but whether we measure price change in lev or euro makes no difference. A price change just because of a currency change is not going to happen," he argued. In his words, the accumulation of price changes and the perception of price hikes has been observed since 2021. "The eurozone gives security and predictability to the stability of our currency. The frequent example I give is if you want to sail across the Atlantic, you would do it on a big cruise liner or on a rubber dinghy," Goranov noted, and added that by adopting the euro, Bulgaria will sail on the most powerful ship in the world without the risk of punctures.

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Telegraph writes on its front page that third-party liability insurance companies cover only 25% of damages on average, despite drivers not being to blame for the damages caused. The data comes from a survey by Active Consumers into 133 court decisions on cases challenging the money extended by third-party liability insurance companies in the last three years. Active Consumers' survey was prompted by the many alerts by those affected. The insurers give different reasons for the low compensation provided, but usually justify it with the methodology of damage assessment and their internal rules, and consider that the compensation provided is sufficient.

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Dnevnik.bg reports that despite the complaints of employers from all sectors that they are short of workers and there are no applicants, the number of vacancies is growing. Data of the National Statistical Institute for the first quarter of 2025 show an increase in the number of job vacancies by 21% year on year to 22,300 in January-March 2025. A number of sectors, particularly in manufacturing, are facing the reluctance of the generation now entering the labour market to work in what is considered unprestigious jobs. A drop in vacancies is observed in state governance and healthcare.

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On Bulgarian National Television's morning show, Dr Stefan Konstantinov and Dr Mimi Vitkova, doctors and former health ministers, commented on the problems in the healthcare sector against the backdrop of protests of medical professionals across the country over low pay and specialization issues. According to Dr Vitkova, the State has long ago abdicated from the control in healthcare, leaving it to the market, as a result of which healthcare has become a market stall. There are huge disproportions between salaries in the sector between hospitals and also within one and the same hospital, she noted. Dr Konstantinov noted that there are disproportions also between the minimum salary of a medical professional who has just graduated after studying for six years, and an Interior Ministry employee with secondary education. That is very demotivating for young medical professionals, making them choose to work abroad, he noted.

bTV's morning show reported that a resolution is expected this week in the case with the working conditions for young medical professionals - probably by the end of the week the Health Minister will meet with trade unions in search of a solution to the demands of protesting doctors and nurses. It turns out, however, that not only Bulgarian postgraduates in the healthcare sector have difficulties finding specialization, but also those of Bulgarian origin, such as Bessarabian Bulgarians. The problem stems from a legislative discrepancy, about which affected students have complained to all state institutions without result for a long time. Now, just three days after bTV's intervention, the Ministry of Education said it will fix the issue for the 2025/2026 academic year.

On Nova TV's morning show, general practitioner Dr Gergana Nikolova and health economist Arkadi Sharkov commented on the issues in the healthcare sector. Dr Nikolova commented that she supports the pay rise of everyone working in the sector. A large part of the people taking decisions on these matters do not understand what pressure and tension those in the system work under, she argued. Sharkov said there should be no confrontation between medics when it comes to pay. He pointed out that the increase in monthly salaries is related to legislation and the cost of running the system. Sharkov also explained that currently, the National Health Insurance Fund has a deficit in hospital care, and such is expected for medicinal products as well. 

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Capital.bg reports that despite the economic environment and any global turmoil over the years (pandemics, financial crises, etc.) the telecommunications market in Bulgaria has always done well. Or at least, the three main players in it - the big mobile operators A1, Vivacom, and Yettel Bulgaria, whose influence grows every year. A good gauge of the sector is the Communications Regulation Commission's (CRC) annual report, which monitors performance in each major segment - mobile voice services, Internet and TV services. And the report for 2024 shows that  A1, Vivacom, and Yettel are stronger than ever. The main market volume figure is BGN 4.02 billion, and it has not stopped growing in recent years and has increased by 50% in just five years (in 2019 it was BGN 2.68 billion). The CRC report does not provide specific revenue figures for companies in the sector, but according to Capital, all three leading mobile operators are reporting record revenues. The leader is A1 with BGN 1.61 billion, followed by Vivacom with BGN 1.49 billion, and Yettel with BGN 1.04 billion.

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24 Chasa has an interview with Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, head of the Bulgarian delegation to the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. He says that they are working on a system of vouchers for children providing cheaper tickets for museums, theatres, and galleries. That would build values and good taste as well as make more young people talk about culture and history on social media. Chobanov also talks about archaeology, culture, and tourism in Bulgaria in light of the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.

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On Nova TV's morning show, economic Petar Ganev from the Institute for Market Economics commented on Romania's financial situation. Romania, a country which in recent years was often given as an example of catching-up economic development and higher purchasing power than Bulgaria, has found itself on the verge of a serious financial crisis. The authorities in Bucharest have announced a package of urgent and harsh measures, including wage freezes and tax hikes, to tackle the huge budget deficit. According to Ganev, the issue is rooted in a long-standing policy of high budget spending. According to forecasts, in 2024 Romania's budget deficit will reach 9.3% of GDP, which is the highest level in the entire European Union, where the average is 3.2%. By comparison, Bulgaria is discussing a budget deficit of 3%. According to Ganev, the experience of Greece and Romania shows that when a country spends too aggressively, increases wages and applies tax breaks over a long period, it eventually reaches a point where it has to take tough and unpopular measures.

POLITICS

Trud has an interview with Bulgarian MEP Emil Radev (GERB-UDF/EPP), who talks about the relations with North Macedonia. Asked how the Bulgarian MEPs will defend the Bulgarian position in the European Parliament (EP) without this being perceived as blocking the enlargement process, he says that the Bulgarian MEPs are open to dialogue and cooperation to reach a sustainable solution. "As you can see, we seek the support of the political families we are part of. It is Bulgaria that has put the European integration of the Western Balkans at the centre of the European agenda. Our aim is definitely not to block the enlargement process! However, we do not accept this happening through the back door - by circumventing principles, distorting the historical truth and ignoring commitments. These commitments are not only to Bulgaria, but to the whole EU! Good neighbourliness and respect for European values are not a wish, but a condition that cannot be compromised!" he says. In his words, North Macedonia focuses on the issue of national identity and nothing else in the EP's report on its readiness to join the EU seems to matter to Skopje. "Criticism is being levelled [in the report] at the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the fight against organised crime, the reform of public administration, transparency and pluralism in the media against the background of disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats. In this context, it is evident that North Macedonia still does not meet the EU accession criteria and needs to focus its efforts on real and deep reforms, not on identity slogans that replace the substance of the process," Radev argues.

Duma quotes Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (BSP/S&D) as commenting on Bulgarian National Radio that the inclusion of national identity and language as parameters in the report on North Macedonia's readiness to join the EU is a precedent, and expressed concern that this could be the result of external influence. Language and identity are not subject to political evaluation, she argued. Penkova also noted that such actions have caused a serious backlash among other political groups in the European Parliament. She stressed that the Socialists played a key role in reaching a consensus that defended the Bulgarian position. "There is a political agreement between the Socialists and Democrats, the European People's Party and the Liberals, through which we will propose an amendment to this report in plenary. This amendment includes the deletion of all references to identity and language in this report," she said.

On bTV's morning show, journalist Nina Spasova and linguist Prof. Ana Kovacheva commented on the same topic. Spasova described as strange that the terms "identity" and "language" are present in a report that should present how North Macedonia has been observing the EU requirements on counter-corruption, economic development, the fight against grey economy, and media freedom.  In her words, the Government and President of North Macedonia have a complex about their identity and the fact that their language is based on the Bulgarian language. "It is more than clear that there is no centuries-old Macedonian identity and therefore no language. I say this not because we want it to be so, but because there is not a shred of documentary truth in this statement," linguist Kovacheva argued. 

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Segabg.com writes that the coat of arms in the cabinet of MRF - New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski in the National Assembly cost BGN 10,000 in public funds. The information was made public by Democratic Bulgaria Co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov on social networks, quoting an official response from National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova. Peevski is the only MP who has a coat of arms in his office. "Peevski ordered the coat of arms at the end of the 50th National Assembly. Apparently they decided to consider the coat of arms as a consumable, and accordingly it has passed through the administration (mainly appointed by GERB over the years). The assessment of the administration was that everything was all right, and they paid BGN 10,000 in public resources so that Peevski could have a coat of arms under which he could take pictures with his trophies - mayors and deputies acquired through the prosecution service, the counter-corruption commission and promises of funding", writes Bozhanov. 

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Mediapool.bg reports that the website of the Vazrazhdane party has most likely been hacked. On Sunday, the usual content on the website was replaced by large letters reading, “This is how I saw [Kostadin] Kostadinov's party” and "Under construction". The hacked site promised soon "stories and first-hand impressions from the kitchen of the party, loudly claiming to be the opposition, and the only one at that!" Next came a list of names of people who have been associated with Vazrazhdane but are already former supporters.

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On Bulgarian National Television's morning show, journalist Veselin Stoyanov and political expert Nidal Algafari commented on the no-confidence motions against the Government. According to Stoyanov, votes of no confidence no longer arouse any interest because they are two a month, if not more often. It even got to the point that the fourth motion was tabled before the debate on the third one had even started; now a fifth is being prepared, he noted. “This is the policy of constant sabotage of these three pro-Russian formations in Parliament,” he believes, referring to Vazrazhdane, MECh, and Velichie. According to Algafari, the positive thing about no-confidence motions is that they unite the majority. "This is the contribution of all those who present themselves as opposition. The more you push them, the further away the time is when there could be early elections," he said. Algafari noted that there will probably be elections in four years "thanks to all these inept actions of our so-called opposition.”

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Telegraph has an interview with former counter-intelligence head Vladimir Manolov, who warns that a drug war in Iran is a threat to gas supplies for Bulgaria.