site.btaMedia Review: September 11

THE HEADLINES

No single topic dominates Thursday's news media.

POLITICS

bTV covered a statement by Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, who said triggering NATO Treaty Article 4 does not mean involvement in war, adding that allies remained in constant contact. "Partners and allies remain in regular communication; we are not discussing any actions that would provoke aggression by the Alliance," Georgiev said. He referenced the Russian drones that entered Polish airspace on Wednesday, some of which were intercepted by Dutch fighter jets, describing the incident as a Kremlin provocation and expressing support for Poland. "This reflects the purpose of NATO and our collective efforts to safeguard the Alliance’s security and defence," he said. Georgiev made these remarks in Blagoevgrad at an event for the national euro adoption campaign.

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Nova TV aired a segment in which former deputy defence ministers Yordan Bozhilov and Valentin Radev assessed the Russian drones over Poland and the Rheinmetall deal. The drone incursion was “a serious security threat… that could lead to activating not only Article 4 but also Article 5 if such actions continue,” Bozhilov said, arguing Moscow tested NATO’s unity and readiness. “The bad news was the provocation; the good was that these were not combat drones… they cannot carry large explosive loads and fly short distances,” Radev said, adding that NATO jets were scrambled and Russia claimed there was no proof the drones were Russian.

Radev noted Poland’s heavy defence investments and readiness, while Bozhilov added Warsaw judged the risk high and modernized accordingly.

On Rheinmetall, Radev said “we should trust the institutions,” adding that know-how and technologies would be transferred, which justified the company holding a larger ownership share.

“The investment should be based on a business project, not a political one,” Bozhilov said, warning state-owned defence factory VMZ-Sopot is politicized and that a shell plant might not benefit the army without the full artillery system.

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Duma reports that MEP Kristian Vigenin says defence investment aims to make war impossible, not to prepare for it. He supports expanding industrial capacity and hopes Rheinmetall’s plans will attract additional high-tech investors. He also confirms that taxes in Bulgaria will not increase to fund defence: "At this stage, taxes in Bulgaria will not be changed," Vigenin says. He maintains that Europe should strengthen its own defence capabilities by producing essential equipment while maintaining its partnership with the US and calls on the EU to protect its own interests. He welcomes NATO’s decision to allocate 1.5% of GDP, within the 5% defence budget, to infrastructure, including road, digital, and healthcare projects as part of security. "We should not create unnecessary fears; our actions are intended not to prepare for war, but to prevent it," Vigenin says.

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Telegraph publishes an interview with sociologist Evelina Slavkova, co-founder of Trend, who has conducted over 400 public opinion polls, who says the governing majority looks stable and early elections do not loom.

“This government cannot be brought down by a no-confidence vote”, Slavkova “says, viewing Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB)’s move as a bid to reclaim initiative and set the agenda rather than to change power. She notes protest pressure on two tracks: justice reform around the Justice for All initiative and CC-DB, and anti-euro/social-economic rallies led by Vazrazhdane, with the 13 September protest a test of strength.

On the presidency, a joint nominee by GERB-UDF and CC-DB is practically impossible, Slavkova says, as CC-DB prepares its own candidate. An initiative-committee option also appears unlikely. She reads President Rumen Radev’s recent interventions as signalling wider political ambitions and adds that a new party would fare better first at parliamentary than at local elections.

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Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported that Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said the party would seek the remaining signatures for a new no-confidence vote over the water crisis and water utility sector management, with only Velichie backing it so far and five more signatures needed.

“Today we will send an official letter to the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, CC–DB and MECh to ask for the five signatures… in return we will support anyone who supports our vote; CC–DB can have one of ours, if they sign our no-confidence petition,” Kostadinov said.

He criticized other opposition parties as “palace opposition” and commented on drones in Polish airspace as “an Ukrainian provocation”, adding that the situation was being strained to drag Europe into war.

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BNR reported that Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev said “We did not seek support from Vazrazhdane for filing the no-confidence vote… we have no problem with the number of signatures required.” He added that the water crisis and the corruption behind it formed part of the captured-state theme in the motion, which would be submitted with signatures from Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria, MECh and the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. “In the chamber, any MP may support the vote, including [GERB Leader] Boyko Borissov and [Movement for Rights and Freedoms] New Beginning Chair Delyan Peevski,” Mirchev said.

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Capital reports that the October 12 special vote for Pazardzhik’s municipal council centres on whether CC-DB mayor Petar Kulenski can assemble a majority against former mayor Todor Popov’s network.

Popov seeks to retain leverage through proxies on multiple lists, while close allies Rumen Dimitrov and Rumen Kozhuharov break away. Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning, led locally by Desislava Todorova and driven by MRF – New Beginning Chair Delyan Peevski’s ambition, makes a first serious push to enter city hall, with figures drawn from across the spectrum, including past GERB-UDF ranks.

Business enters via the Citizens for the Municipality slate linked to waste operator Brox, foreshadowing clashes with Kulenski’s plan for a municipal cleaning firm.

Low turnout is expected, risking another fragmented chamber and elevating the battle for Roma votes in key villages and Pazardzhik’s Iztok borough. The campaign features further Popov-aligned “proxies” (nephew Aleksandar Ivanov with Gergyovden. In total, 23 parties and 6 coalitions contest 41 seats.

ECONOMY

Nova TV reported that the International Monetary Fund was conducting its regular annual mission to Bulgaria, with economists Rumen Galabinov and Preslav Raykov discussing potential recommendations.

“They will assess the macroeconomic situation and provide practical recommendations,” Galabinov said, adding that attention may be given to the labour market, demographic trends, risks related to euro adoption, and reforms in pensions, healthcare, and education.

Raykov observed increased focus on state-owned enterprises and government intervention, pointing to inefficiency and the misallocation of public resources.

Regarding taxation, Galabinov noted that the IMF generally prefers progressive income taxes over flat taxes. He also mentioned possible adjustments to VAT, such as reduced rates for food and medicines, similar to practices in many eurozone countries, and suggested reducing dependence on VAT by addressing the grey economy.

Raykov noted that IMF missions compare local data with their analyses to guide policy decisions and sees no cause for concern. He also mentioned that such reports could help attract investors.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Trud and Dnevnik write that Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev reports coordinated efforts by the government, relevant institutions, and the judiciary, which have prevented the unlawful seizure of BGN 5 million from a Bulgarian-French investor developing a EUR 60 million facility in Pleven.

Inspections by the Justice Ministry’s Inspectorate identify multiple violations by officials. Georgiev notes that on June 5, the company is subject to an attachment of BGN 5 million under an immediate execution order related to a liability it does not acknowledge and a contract it asserts was never signed.

He notes that on March 18, before an assistant notary in Sofia, a former manager appeared and confirmed signing a supply contract two years earlier that included a BGN 3.5 million penalty. The assistant notary certified an agreement related to that contract, after which the court issued an immediate execution order.

Following the unlawful notarial actions, the lender changes its seat to a non-existing address in Kozloduy and files in Kozloduy Regional Court; after two recusals due to illness, a third judge issues the order, and after a violation by a private bailiff the funds are frozen.

“We propose penalties for the established violations,” Georgiev said. “As a result of our findings, the entire BGN 5 million blocked for months was released.” Georgiev recommends that the Notary Chamber impose one of the most severe penalties on the assistant notary in Sofia – suspension of their license for three years.

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Telegraph and Dnevnik report that a cryptocurrency mining farm is found in the Gorna Oryahovitsa municipal building. Administrative staff discovers computer rigs in the basement, and Mayor Nikolay Rashkov notifies the police. Investigators from the Veliko Tarnovo Region Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation, considering the possibility that the farm had been operating for over eight years using municipal electricity. Former mayor Dobromir Dobrev was questioned. "I have not visited the premises and have no involvement," Dobrev says. Dnevnik reports that the equipment was installed in a disaster and emergency response facility, citing the local police as the source.

SOCIETY

Trud writes that passengers at Sofia Airport are kept on board a Ryanair aircraft for around three hours because of a technical fault. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov says that the incident was documented and monitored. He notes that the aircraft was unable to depart from Sofia and described the three-hour confinement of passengers as unacceptable. "It seems they tried to fix the problem on site so that, if successful, they could depart immediately. They try to look very punctual, but this comes at the expense of travellers," Karadjov says. He adds that only two hours after the detention are passengers allowed into other areas of the airport to buy food and water. " Ryanair should reconsider its policy, as it is humane treatment that defines a civilized society, and not removing passengers over a one-centimetre discrepancy in luggage size."

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Duma covers that Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov says the first new borehole for Pleven is ready and water-quality samples are sent; “If the results are satisfactory, the borehole will be integrated into the water supply network,” Ivanov says. He outlines short-term repairs on the most compromised pipeline sections (400 m finished, 1,100 m due), cleaning of irrigation canals to feed sources from Dabnishka Bara, and hydrophore donations to schools by Bulgarian Water Utility Company Holding. The main problem, he notes, is large losses on the ageing network, not the Cherni Osam intake: “The pipeline is in good operational condition… losses are 80 l/s, not 80%,” Ivanov said. He notes that sections crossing private properties restrict access, and the Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre Agency maps these areas for project planning.

As an alternative, the Sopot Dam can supply water to Lovech, allowing the Cherni Osam Dam to serve Pleven. However, the only long-term solution is the construction of the Cherni Osam Dam. Procedures for the spatial plan and technical design have begun, and with modern construction methods, completion is expected in 3-4 years, Ivanov said.

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Bulgarian National Television (BNT) interviewed newly appointed Pleven Regional Governor Marin Machev, who said water had been secured for schools and kindergartens and in-person classes would start as planned. Test results for the initial new borehole were anticipated by Friday; if positive, the borehole would be integrated into the network.

Repairs had begun on problem sections of the water system, but residents still had water only for a few hours in the morning and evening. “Schools have started to order hydrophore systems; water is secured for all schools, kindergartens and nurseries,” Machev said. Crisis staff chair Emil Peev added that checks were under way to separate theft from infrastructure losses: “Most of the loss is from leakage rather than theft,” Peev said.

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Mediapool.bg reports that Yes, Bulgaria says it will submit a complaint to the prosecution over alleged illegitimate influence by businessman Hristo Kovachki in local government, after an attack on eco-activist Daniela Toneva’s home.

A video from a Bobov Dol committee meeting captures council chair Krasimir Chavraganski saying: "Kovachki calls me every week and gives me a dressing-down." Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov links the case to a planned no-confidence vote, while Yes, Bulgaria Co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev recalls an earlier report that yields no result.

Toneva reports ongoing pressure and fines exceeding BGN 6 million imposed on Bobov Dol Thermal Power Plant, while pollution persists.

Kovachki denies the allegations, stating that he pays taxes and undergoes regular audits, and urges a focus on economic issues: "Political intrigues are not my concern," Kovachki says.

HEALTHCARE

Trud reports that the Council of Ministers approves draft amendments to the Health Insurance Act prior to its submission to Parliament. The amendments formalize joint hospital inspections by the State Agency for National Security (SANS) or other relevant authorities, and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). They also extend NHIF oversight to include staff employment and insurance records, as well as the prescribing and dispensing of medical devices.

The Health Ministry has direct access to NHIF data. Individual drug payment agreements are coordinated annually, with legislative changes enacted by the NHIF Supervisory Board. The Bulgarian Medical Association may involve nurses and midwives in National Framework Agreement negotiations. Trud adds that new qualitative and quantitative treatment indicators are introduced but lack defined criteria.

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Bulgarian National Television (BNT) interviewed Bulgarian Drug Agency (BDA) Executive Director Bogdan Kirilov, who said influenza vaccine deliveries this season were expected to exceed 2024 orders by 100,000: “In 2022 deliveries were 305,000, now for the winter season 580,000 were expected,” Kirilov said. He warned about a surge of online weight-loss “medicines”, noting they came mainly from outside the EU and were shipped by couriers: “In many cases the IP addresses were in other countries… in the last 2-3 weeks the number of reports has increased; we are working with the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime,” Kirilov said. He noted that only over-the-counter medicines may be sold online in Bulgaria, and that prescription drugs available online often lack the required active ingredient and pose significant health risks. BDA conducts regular monitoring in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, Kirilov added.