site.btaMedia Review: September 18

No single issue dominates the Thursday news media. One issue that is present in all outlets is the recusal of the judges that were expected to consider the remand in custody of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. Another is the no-confidence motion against the government of Rosen Zhelyazkov, that would be put to the vote later on Thursday. 

POLITICS

In an interview with Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), political analyst Assoc. Prof. Ivo Indzhov discussed the current political dynamics in Bulgaria. Despite the strong mass media and social media perception that the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning is calling the shots, he believes that Boyko Borissov remains the most powerful figure in Bulgarian politics. Indzhov said that while MRF – New Beginning plays a key role in supporting the government and some members of Borissov's party GERB may defect to MRF, this won't become a mass trend. He acknowledges the speculation that MRF – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski may hold compromising information on Borissov but emphasized that the current government is GERB-led, supported by smaller parties (the Bulgarian Socialist Party and There Is Such a People), and dependent on MRF – New Beginning. Indzhov argued that New Beginning does not actually dictate policies but creates a strong public impression of influence. According to him, the "Peevski–MRF balloon" will likely burst within 2–3 years. Commenting on the six-hour parliamentary debate over the no-confidence motion initiated by the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition, Indzhov noted the unusually intense political discourse. He welcomed the public debate but pointed out that Bulgaria has "state capture" and "flawed parliamentary democracy". "We’re far from the dictatorship CC-DB sees. There are some ongoing state capture processes through the capture of some institutions.” Indzhov said it was no surprise that pro-European and pro-Russian opposition parties “are aligning on this vote, as key issues such as selective justice and internal security are pressing.” He believes the alliance won’t topple the government but will further weaken it. He expects early elections sometime after the New Year, likely following the introduction of the euro, and potentially around the presidential elections.

On the Nova TV morning programme political analyst Tsvetanka Andreeva and PR expert Georgi Kurtev discussed the upcoming no-confidence vote and the overall stability of the Bulgarian government. Andreeva compared the blocked parliament parking entrance Thursday morning by Continue the Change MPs in support of Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev to the tactics of the radical Vazrazhdane party, calling it "disruptive to institutional democracy". Kurtev and Andreeva agreed that the no-confidence vote is unlikely to pass, mainly because the opposition is too fragmented to form a majority. Kurtev warned that even if the vote surprisingly passes, it is unclear whether the opposition is prepared to form a government or handle a potential caretaker administration.

Journalist Emilia Milcheva, speaking to BNR, shared her view that the vote of no-confidence should demonstrate a real alternative to the current government, but she does not see one in the current composition of the National Assembly. She criticized the alliance of parties supporting the no-confidence vote - CC-DB, MECh, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, along with Vazrazhdane and Velichie - saying that the involvement of the latter two undermines the seriousness of the vote. According to Milcheva, Vazrazhdane and Velichie’s support is counterproductive, as they typically criticize from the sidelines and their backing gives the ruling parties an excuse to discredit the vote. She notes that Boyko Borissov has used this situation to accuse CC-DB of “getting on the Russian train” by aligning with pro-Russian parties. Regarding the parliamentary debate, Milcheva said that no new arguments were presented by the opposition: the idea of state capture, the dominant role of Delyan Peevski, lack of justice, and social hardship. In the interview Milcheva says that citizens expect the opposition to offer real solutions, especially in the Interior Ministry. She adds that the idea of state capture is not new as people in Bulgaria have been living with the consequences of systemic state dysfunction for decades. In the interview she also speaks on the recent scandal involving the state arms company VMZ-Sopot, sparked by a YouTube video from influencer Stanislav Tsanov. In the video, a man allegedly employed at VMZ claims corruption, later meeting with President Rumen Radev, who announces he would alert authorities. According to Milcheva, the real goal behind the scandal is to discredit and delay a major NATO-standard weapons investment, funded through the EU SAFE instrument.

bTV’s morning programme interviewed former Bulgarian Defence Minister Boyko Noev who warned that there is a risk to the joint project between VMZ-Sopot and German defence giant Rheinmetall, but not because of politicians like Radev or Borissov. Instead, the risk lies in whether the terms offered by Rheinmetall are beneficial for Bulgaria. "Neither Radev's blue eyes nor Borisov's blue eyes will bring Rheinmetall to Bulgaria. Such huge companies do not come here out of sympathy. They are led by their interests," he said. Bulgaria needs gunpowder factories, as its defence industry is struggling with raw material shortages. The construction of such factories must be well-organized and not discussed publicly in detail, as this is a serious national issue. Although the loans to fund the project are favourable, future generations will still have to repay them, Noev said. He criticized the politicization of the deal, adding that Borissov's involvement raises questions about his role and motives, as he is not in government. Delyan Peevski, Noev claims, was already eyeing control of the arms industry, seeing it as a profitable sector.

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Duma.bg runs an interview with Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Leader Atanas Zafirov. He explains there that his visit to China was at the official invitation of the Chinese Communist Party. He sees the visit as part of BSP’s long-standing relationship with China and a valuable opportunity to learn from China's economic and social development. Zafirov dismissed calls for his resignation over the trip as “absurd” and politically motivated. He accused the right-wing opposition of provincialism and hypocrisy, pointing out that European leaders also maintain relations with China. He emphasized that Bulgaria needs to strengthen economic ties with China, a global superpower, especially since the country currently attracts the fewest Chinese investments on the Balkans. Zafirov believes the motion of no confidence will fail and criticizes the opposition for turning serious parliamentary tools into political theatre. Zafirov said he is confident the next Bulgarian president will be from the left. BSP will support a strong candidate, but no decision has been made yet. He acknowledged many BSP supporters are concerned about the euro due to inflation fears but insisted the currency is part of Bulgaria's future and is aligned with BSP’s long-standing policy. Asked about the compromises BSP made in order to be part of the government coalition, Zafirov admitted BSP has "delayed parts of its agenda but has not abandoned its values". "Participating in a coalition is a necessary trade-off for political stability," he commented. He sees this cooperation as a key lesson in putting the national interest above political divisions.

ECONOMY

Dnevnik.bg runs a story on the Rheinmetall and VMZ-Sopot joint venture project which has strategic importance for Bulgaria and Europe but is still at a very early stage. Critical regulatory approvals, especially environmental ones, and financing decisions must be finalized before construction can begin. The construction of two joint factories between German defence giant Rheinmetall and Bulgaria’s state-owned VMZ-Sopot will take several years and is still in the negotiation phase, the article says. Despite political rhetoric, the investment remains uncertain as no final agreement has been signed. The joint venture would be 51% owned by Rheinmetall and 49% by VMZ-Sopot. Rheinmetall is expected to contribute capital, not just technology. The project aims to address Europe’s gunpowder shortages, intensified by the war in Ukraine and the need to boost NATO-compatible defence capabilities. The project must undergo a mandatory environmental impact assessment, which could take up to a year, according to the Environmental Ministry. The process includes assessments for air, water, and hazardous waste emissions; impact on nearby protected areas; compatibility with EU environmental standards. Key environmental concerns come from air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, acid gases, volatile organics; solid waste: leftover gunpowder, contaminated packaging, filters; wastewater: content of nitrates, sulfates, organic solvents requiring advanced treatment; residual waste from treatment processes must go to licensed facilities or be safely destroyed.

The Trud daily’s frontpage story is about Bulgarian pensioners. According to Eurostat, 21% of people over 65 in Bulgaria live in severe material deprivation, meaning they cannot afford at least 7 out of 13 basic necessities such as heating, new clothes, or unexpected expenses. Bulgaria ranks first in the EU for elderly poverty. The main reason is low pensions, which in Bulgaria often result in a financial shock and a lower standard of living after retirement unlike in most EU countries, where pensions provide stable income. In contrast to the EU average, Bulgaria’s rate is significantly higher than the national average of 16.6%. Women are disproportionately affected: 24% of women over 65 live in deprivation, compared to 16.5% of men. This is partly due to lower wages, shorter work histories, earlier retirement, and childcare-related income gaps. In September, the average pension was BGN 1,090 for men and BGN 810 for women, a 35% gap, the report says.

JUSTICE

News websites Mediapool.bg, Dnevnik.bg and Segabg.com, as well as 24chasa on page 3, report the recusal of three judges of the Sofia Appellate Court from reviewing the detention of Varna’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev. The judges cited public and media pressure, verbal abuse, and accusations of bias and incompetence. Despite admitting there are no legal grounds for their withdrawal, they refused to take the case due to fear of public backlash. Mayor Kotsev has been in detention for over two months. His lawyers argue the case is politically motivated, with pressure on key witnesses and prosecutorial bias, including the failure to collect exonerating evidence.

Speaking to Segabg.com and BNR, prominent defence lawyer Ina Lulcheva accused the court of acting as a prosecutor instead of a neutral arbiter, saying the charges are being used to remove Kotsev from office. She also highlighted claims that a witness was pressured to lie by anti-corruption officials, which the court allegedly ignored. The situation has sparked protests and raised concerns over judicial independence, the politicization of the judiciary, and the broader issue of state capture in Bulgaria.

Mediapool.bg says that this is yet another case in the past year where judges avoid responsibility due to fears of strong public reaction following their decisions and enumerates other examples of cases in which the judges recused themselves: the case of Debora in Stara Zagora, when all 17 judges, both criminal and civil, at the Stara Zagora District Court recused themselves from the case; the case in Sliven on the sexual abuse with minors when multiple judges in the Sliven District Court repeatedly recused themselves from the case, etc.

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Segabg.com reports that Daniela Taleva, the special prosecutor tasked with investigating the Prosecutor General and their deputies in Bulgaria, has admitted that she is not independent and must rely on the leadership of the Prosecutor's Office to decide whether to release information of public interest. This contradicts the very purpose of the special prosecutor role, which was created to eliminate the untouchability of the Prosecutor General. Her statement came in response to a freedom of information request regarding the closure of an investigation involving acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov and the "Eight Dwarfs" scandal. Taleva argued she is not an independent authority under the law but part of the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor’s Office, which is officially represented by the Prosecutor General. She said she cannot unilaterally release documents and instead referred the request to a deputy prosecutor general. This leads to a paradox, the article said, although Taleva is the only person authorized to investigate top prosecutors, she remains dependent on them for decisions about transparency. Recently, at Segabg.com’s request, a court ruled that Taleva’s acts should be made public, but the response from the Prosecutor’s Office was that it did not possess the requested documents since they are only held by Taleva. This creates a bureaucratic loop that blocks public access to her work.

EDUCATION

Dnevnik.bg runs a story on illegal student admissions at University of National and World Economy (UNWE) and the Student Council’s response to questions put to them. Over 1,500 students were illegally admitted to UNWE in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic years, exceeding the state-approved quota for government-funded spots. The Education Ministry discovered the violation and ordered UNWE to transfer the excess students to paid tuition programs, which would raise their fees from BGN 350 to BGN 950 per semester. However, Education Minister Krasimir Valchev later stated the students were only formally reclassified, and would still pay the lower, state-subsidized fees with the university expected to cover the difference. National Assembly of Student Councils Chair Angel Stoykov responded to Dnevnik.bg’s questions by placing full responsibility on UNWE's leadership, stressing that students must not suffer due to administrative violations. He confirmed that students' academic status and diplomas will remain valid, and no student would be forced to pay higher fees. The organization will support affected students and ensure their rights are protected. The Chair of the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation, Eliza Stefanova, told Dnevnik.bg that if UNWE does not comply with the Ministry’s recommendations, it could lose its accreditation, putting future degrees at risk.

ROAD SAFETY

September 18 has been designated a Day Without Road Deaths in Bulgaria as part of the European Mobility Week initiative. The focus is on protecting pedestrians, children, and riders of two-wheeled vehicles. Bulgarian National Television’s morning programme highlights the tragic case of 15-year-old Filip, who was fatally hit on a pedestrian crossing in central Sofia two years ago. The driver, under the influence of alcohol, was speeding in an urban zone. Despite 18 court sessions over two years, there is still no verdict. In a live interview Filip’s father, Krasimir Arsov, criticized the legal process, saying that a key expert report was inaccurate and incomplete, prepared without even visiting the crash site. He emphasized that his family seeks justice: “We have no desire for vengeance. Our child will not return. We want drivers to be more responsible.” And concluded with an appeal: “I’m calling on all drivers – be a bit human, be decent. Don’t kill yourselves and others. Most of all, we must change our mindset. Let’s be human and stop killing each other.”

24chasa daily’s cover story is on the recent amendments to the Road Traffic Act for fining pedestrians for improper street crossing. Over 300 fines have been issued to jaywalkers in Sofia since stricter rules were introduced on September 7. Following the amendments the fines doubled to BGN 100. Drivers who drive over the speed limit of 30 km/h in cities pay the same. The most common violations include crossing on a red light; crossing where there’s no pedestrian crossing; jumping over barriers; crossing without looking around. New rules also impose the same fine on pedestrians using mobile phones or digital devices while crossing, but no fines for this have yet been issued. Police say their main goal is prevention, not punishment. Officers are stationed at high-risk areas to ensure pedestrian safety and sometimes issue only verbal warnings to raise awareness. Fines are issued on the spot, only if an officer directly witnesses the violation.

Telegraf reports on its front page about a wave of false positive drug tests on drivers around the country. The number of false positives has risen to half of the total number of tests carried out by Traffic Police in recent months, the article says. They cite well-informed sources from the few laboratories in the country accredited to analyse the blood of drivers whose roadside tests have reacted positive to drugs, as well as lawyers. Telegraf interviewed Katrin Mileva who spent 24 hours in a cell, after being arrested on a false positive drug test. The young woman gets panic attacks every time she sees a police car. She says she was treated like a criminal. Finally, once her blood sample results came out 11 months later, she got her car back in a miserable condition. But her police registration has not been scraped yet, because this isn’t done automatically.

HEALTHCARE 

BNT’s morning programme interviewed the head of the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Prof. Iva Hristova. She stated that introducing a mandatory chickenpox vaccine in Bulgaria would significantly reduce hospitalizations, complications, and severe cases. Chickenpox is one of the most widespread infectious diseases in the country, with around 30,000 official cases annually. While it’s generally milder in children, adults often suffer more severe symptoms, including painful skin lesions and long-term complications like shingles. The Health Ministry plans to make the vaccine mandatory and free for children, but funding has not yet been secured. “With one vaccine, a huge number of children can be protected. Countries that have introduced it, over half of Europe and the US, are already seeing fewer hospitalizations, fewer complications, and fewer severe cases, which is very important,” Professor Hristova said.

CLIMATE AND WATER

In an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, climatologist Ivan Ivanov from the Varna branch of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology warns of a trend toward drought and increasingly intense, but infrequent, rainfall. This makes it harder to retain and utilize water effectively. Over the past 20 years, the average temperature in Varna has increased by 1.5C, while rainfall in the region has decreased by about 30% for the fourth consecutive year, he said. He explained that rainfall in Bulgaria mainly depends on Mediterranean cyclones, which are irregular, and the climate is becoming more extreme. This leads to water supply problems in cities like Pleven and Lovech. As potential solutions, Ivanov suggests building new reservoirs to capture surface rainwater or desalinating seawater, using energy from solar panels or wind turbines, environmentally friendly sources that do not emit carbon dioxide. The salinity of Bulgarian seawater is relatively low, making desalination more efficient and suitable for the region. According to Ivanov, using green energy for freshwater production is sustainable and climate friendly.