https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/rss Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:15:13 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1201813-anti-drone-system-demonstrated-in-samokov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1201813-anti-drone-system-demonstrated-in-samokov Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:03:57 +0300 A system for detecting, locating and countering unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) was presented at the Samel-90 company in Samokov on Thursday, the Defence Ministry reported. The demonstration was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Transport, the Land Forces, Air Force and Navy, the Joint Special Operations Command, the National Service for Protection, the General Directorate National Police, the General Directorate Combating Organized Crime, the General Directorate Border Police and the General Directorate for Gendarmerie, Special Operations and Counter-Terrorism. The Samel-90 management presented an integrated solution for detecting and countering unmanned aerial vehicles, combining various components and technologies and allowing it to be configured according to the specific task and the characteristics of the site being protected. The practical demonstration showed the system's operation from a control centre and a mobile centre, along with its capabilities to determine the location of aerial vehicles and deploy electronic countermeasures. The system is designed to protect military and strategic sites, critical infrastructure and areas where the use of unauthorized drones poses a security risk. In comments, Deputy Defence Minister Katerina Gramatikova-Ivanova highlighted the important role of the Bulgarian defence industry in developing the capabilities of the country's armed forces. She stressed the need for more intensive cooperation between Bulgarian companies and institutions within the defence and security system. Economy Valentin Evstatiev Petra Kurteva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201767-there-are-attempts-to-influence-election-of-new-judicial-council-by-members-of-j https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201767-there-are-attempts-to-influence-election-of-new-judicial-council-by-members-of-j Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:28:38 +0300 There are indications of attempts to influence the election of members of the new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) by senior representatives of the judiciary, Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov told journalists in Lovech. According to him, no such pressure has been exerted by representatives of the executive branch. He categorically denied that the Ministry of Justice or other ministers had exerted pressure in connection with the election of a new SJC. In his view, every report of such actions should be taken seriously, and the institutions should take measures within the scope of their powers. “I want to assure you that no such pressure has been exerted by the Ministry of Justice or by any of the other ministers, and none will be exerted,” Naydenov said. He added that speculation involving the names of ministers, lobbying, meetings, or informal influence must be stopped. “I categorically deny these claims,” he stressed. According to him, the Ministry of Justice’s website provides an opportunity for anyone to submit a report, which he will personally review. The Minister said that his office is also open to magistrates, associations, and organizations of judges, prosecutors, and investigators who feel concerned, threatened, or pressured. The executive branch, within the scope of its powers, will be uncompromising, Naydenov stressed. Naydenov also said that, in accordance with the statutory deadlines, the Supreme Judicial Council should be elected by mid-November. “I hope that the parliamentary parties will show reason and unite around suitable candidates. This is an opportunity that has been wasted over the past four years. There were not even any attempts to pursue it because of political instability. I hope that, together with the politically sensible forces, we can secure the support of 160 MPs so that we can elect a new SJC, which will launch all the delayed procedures, including the election of a Prosecutor General and the leadership of the Supreme Administrative Court, and complete the competitive selection procedures for the judiciary, which are currently suspended,” the Justice Minister said. Regarding the election of a Prosecutor General, the Minister explained that it would be carried out by the SJC, as the Council is the competent authority. However, according to him, the procedure will be different from those so far. “We will provide greater transparency and give you, the media, more opportunities to ask questions, receive answers, and express opinions, which will be considered publicly,” Naydenov explained. The Justice Minister attended the official ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the prison in Lovech. “There has been a great deal of criticism directed at Bulgaria regarding places of detention, but based on what I saw, I am satisfied with the conditions. I saw that there is a school, I saw that there are workshops, and I saw that there is a hospital - something that impressed me,” Naydenov said. Bulgaria Petya Petrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1201783-national-television-host-georgi-angelov-s-removal-discussed-by-regulator-and-pol https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1201783-national-television-host-georgi-angelov-s-removal-discussed-by-regulator-and-pol Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:06:16 +0300 The removal of long-serving journalist Georgi Angelov as host of History.BG, a Monday evening show of Bulgarian National Television (BNT), was discussed by the electronic media regulator on Thursday and elicited further political statements. Angelov announced his removal in a Facebook post on Wednesday. BNT said in a statement that the move was part of a broader change to its programming strategy. The public-service broadcaster noted that it is not parting with any of its presenters or long-serving journalists. Opposition politicians suspect pressure from the government. It transpired that Angelov's other programme, To Europe and Forward, was also removed from the airwaves of BNT2. On Thursday, the issue was discussed by the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). The regulator decided to hold a hearing of the BNT management regarding its plans for programming changes which the broadcaster said have led to Angelov's removal. The hearing will take place as the BNT management reports its half-year performance. Meanwhile, the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party said it has notified the European Commission and the European Board for Media Services about the case and is awaiting an explanation from BNT. The DSB's national leadership will file a report with CEM asking it to determine whether the decision concerning Angelov was based on editorial criteria or resulted from political pressure, including pressure from Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov. "For DSB, this is a signal with a clear political meaning that fits into a broader trend in recent months. This is yet another blow to BNT's independence,” the party's press office said. DSB accused Hristov of seeking to establish control over the narrative of Bulgaria's past. The Continue the Change parliamentary group submitted a request for a parliamentary hearing of BNT Director General Milena Milotinova and CEM Chair Gabriela Naplatanova. The coalition's leader, Asen Vasilev, said History.BG is a long-running programme that has continued under different administrations without interference in its editorial policy. He said it is important to establish why Angelov was removed and whether the decision was related in any way to the programme's editorial policy or to episodes that have been planned. During a meeting of the National Assembly Committee on Culture and the Media on Thursday, Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev declined to comment on Angelov's removal, invoking media independence. The issue was raised by MP Ivo Mihaylov of the Continue the Change parliamentary group. Miloshev described the question as a serious one and said that the media must be independent, while every journalist has the right to hold and express their own opinion. "Political rhetoric often does not solve problems but creates them or makes them worse," the Culture Minister said. Culture BTA team https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201689-deputy-foreign-minister-receives-credentials-of-new-unicef-representative-in-bul https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201689-deputy-foreign-minister-receives-credentials-of-new-unicef-representative-in-bul Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:55:38 +0300 Deputy Foreign Minister Ivanka Tasheva received the credentials of the newly appointed UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, Mio Nemoto, the Foreign Ministry said on its website on Thursday. During the meeting, the two highlighted the excellent cooperation between Bulgaria and UNICEF, including in the areas of early childhood development, deinstitutionalization and inclusive education, and discussed opportunities to further build on it. In this context, they focused on initiatives related to the mental health of children and adolescents, protecting them from violence, including in the digital environment, and other issues. Tasheva thanked the UNICEF Office in Bulgaria for its consistent commitment to promoting children’s rights and for its active cooperation with Bulgarian institutions. Nemoto thanked the Bulgarian Government for its support and stressed the importance of the partnership between Bulgaria and UNICEF at a time when the organization is marking the 80th anniversary of its establishment and 20 years since the opening of its office in Bulgaria. Bulgaria Tatiana Marinova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1201663-culture-minister-declines-to-comment-on-national-television-presenter-s-removal- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1201663-culture-minister-declines-to-comment-on-national-television-presenter-s-removal- Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:51:00 +0300 During a meeting of the National Assembly Committee on Culture and the Media on Thursday, Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev declined to comment on the removal of presenter Georgi Angelov from the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) airwaves. The issue was raised by MP Ivo Mihaylov of the Continue the Change parliamentary group. Mihaylov said the matter has attracted public attention for a second consecutive day, and BNT presenter Georgi Angelov has been removed without clear criteria being presented to him or made public. The MP noted that Angelov has been part of the programme for years. He asked Minister Miloshev for his personal view on the removal of hosts from popular programmes that attract significant public interest. In his response, Miloshev described the question as a serious one and said that the media must be independent, while every journalist has the right to hold and express their own opinion. "I would not in any way allow myself, from the institutional position I hold, to make a comment or set a direction. Because, as I have said on another issue, political rhetoric often does not solve problems but creates them or makes them worse," the Culture Minister said. On Wednesday, BNT said its programming is currently being updated and the public broadcaster is not parting with any of its long-serving journalists. The issue was also discussed at Thursday's meeting of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). The regulator decided to hear from BNT Director General Milena Milotinova and the public broadcaster's Management Board about the planned programming changes, including the removal of journalist Georgi Angelov as host of History.BG and the taking of his other programme, To Europe and Forward, from the airwaves of BNT2. Culture Valentin Evstatiev Ivan Dolev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201708-parliamentary-committee-approves-air-services-agreement-between-bulgaria-and-mon https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201708-parliamentary-committee-approves-air-services-agreement-between-bulgaria-and-mon Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:45:15 +0300 The parliamentary transport and communications committee approved at first reading a bill ratifying the Air Services Agreement between the Bulgaria and Mongolia, signed on November 21, 2025, in Sofia. The bill was submitted by the Council of Ministers on August 21, 2026. The document was presented to the committee by Deputy Transport Minister Hristina Velinova. She pointed out that, at present, there is no bilateral agreement in force between Bulgaria and Mongolia in the field of air transport. According to her, the agreement establishes the necessary legal framework for the operation and development of air links between the two countries. It complies with current international standards, the requirements of the European Union, and the practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Among the expected benefits, Velinova highlighted the possibility of developing air routes between the two countries, increasing passenger and cargo transport capacity, as well as creating additional opportunities for air connections between Bulgarian and Mongolian airports. According to her, the entry into force of the agreement will create better opportunities for air transport and will contribute to the development of economic, cultural, and political relations between Bulgaria and Mongolia. Velinova said that the Mongolian side has already completed the necessary domestic procedures for the agreement to enter into force. In order for the agreement to become effective, Bulgaria must also complete the relevant procedures, including ratification by the National Assembly. The bill was supported by 16 members of the Committee. There were no votes against and no abstentions. Bulgaria Petya Petrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201666-transport-ministry-questions-economic-balance-analysis-of-sofia-airport-highlig https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201666-transport-ministry-questions-economic-balance-analysis-of-sofia-airport-highlig Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:44:49 +0300 During a hearing before Parliament's Transport and Communications Committee on Thursday, Transport Minister Georgi Peev said that the Ministry of Transport has not accepted the findings of an economic balance analysis for the concession of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport and has sent dozens of technical questions to the financial institution that carried out the assessment. Peev said that, according to the preliminary findings, the economic balance had not been achieved and a potential amount to be paid by the concessionaire had been proposed. However, it was first necessary to clarify how the balance had been calculated and what data the forecasts were based on. The Minister identified ensuring sufficient airport capacity for expected traffic over the next 10 years as one of the key issues. He noted that the traffic forecasts used in the analysis were even lower than those made during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lower traffic forecasts also result in plans for a smaller volume of infrastructure investment, Peev said. The Transport Ministry will therefore prepare its own traffic forecasts, which will be compared with the data used in the analysis and presented to the World Bank and the concessionaire. Peev stressed that higher expected traffic would require corresponding investments to increase capacity. Options include building a second runway and improving taxiways, which would allow the runway to be cleared more quickly after landing. Increased passenger traffic would also require sufficient terminal capacity and the necessary services, the Minister noted. After responses to the Ministry questions are received, a meeting will be held to discuss the two models and the forecasts used. Peev also said that concession payments were only part of the broader issue concerning the capacity requirements and development of Sofia Airport. In response to questions during the hearing, Peev also said connectivity is the main transport priority after safety, stressing that better connectivity depends on adequate infrastructure. He identified the lack of north-south connectivity as a major gap and highlighted infrastructure development in the Kresna Gorge, where efforts are under way to accelerate the project for building the missing parts of Struma Motorway. Another key issue is the crossing of the Danube. A design contract has been signed for a second bridge near Ruse, but no decision has yet been made for its construction. Peev said Bulgaria is in intensive talks with the European Commissioner for Transport and, once Romania's political situation stabilizes, will seek opportunities to build at least two more bridges over the Danube.  Bulgaria Kristina Ivanova Zhenya Ilcheva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201711-authorities-inspect-pharmacies-drug-warehouses-in-12-regions-over-suspected-div https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201711-authorities-inspect-pharmacies-drug-warehouses-in-12-regions-over-suspected-div Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:31:00 +0300 The Interior Ministry, the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) are carrying out a joint operation to investigate suspected improper spending of NHIF budget funds, the NHIF press office said Thursday. The Deputy Director of the National Police Directorate, Stoyno Tsvetkov, told a news briefing that expensive medicines were probably being diverted, causing losses of millions of euros to the NHIF. The scheme had allegedly been operating since 2025 and involved medicines prescribed to patients with chronic diseases, including life-sustaining medicines. The large-scale inspection of pharmacies and pharmaceutical warehouses has been launched in 12 regions across Bulgaria. The joint operation also involves regional health inspectorates and the Bulgarian Drug Agency. More than 100 sites are being inspected in Sofia and Sofia Region and the regions of Blagoevgrad, Bourgas, Varna, Vratsa, Kyustendil, Pleven, Rousse, Silistra, Stara Zagora and Shumen. The inspections are aimed at establishing and documenting violations and illegal practices involving the diversion of expensive medicines and their subsequent sale outside Bulgaria. SANS official Yani Kozaliev said investigators were checking information about export and re-export of medicines. Investigators suspect involvement of medical professionals, Tsvetkov said. No arrests have been made so far. According to the information being checked, the scheme involved manipulating healthcare-related systems so that an expensive medicine would be paid for by the NHIF but electronically replaced with a cheaper medicine, leaving the expensive product available in the verification system for subsequent diversion. The NHIF said more than 40 of its employees were participating in the joint operation and thanked them for their professionalism and commitment to protecting public funds and the interests of health-insured citizens. In early June, an operation by economic police in Plovdiv uncovered a scheme to siphon money from the NHIF through thousands of fictitious rehabilitation clinical pathways. Bulgaria Konstatin Kostov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201630-vaccination-against-sheep-goat-pox-not-needed-for-now-agriculture-minister https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201630-vaccination-against-sheep-goat-pox-not-needed-for-now-agriculture-minister Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:24:25 +0300 There is currently no need to decide on vaccination against sheep and goat pox, Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovsky said on Thursday. He noted that a decision would be made based on the epizootic situation, if and when circumstances require it. Vaccination is one of the measures used to contain the disease, but it is not a panacea, the Minister added. Abrovsky compared the current situation with last year, when 194 outbreaks were recorded, according to him, versus 26 so far this year. He said the figures reflect a significant change in the epizootic situation. The figures come as Bulgaria has reported a number of new outbreaks in recent weeks, with cases confirmed in Blagoevgrad, Haskovo, Kyustendil and Yambol regions. Veterinary authorities have responded by establishing protection and surveillance zones, restricting the movement of animals, and carrying out inspections and testing in affected and nearby areas. In one outbreak in Yambol Region, 135 animals were culled, while a separate outbreak in Kyustendil Region prompted restrictions covering a 20-kilometre surveillance zone.  Bulgaria Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201581-possible-restructuring-of-agricultural-administration-will-not-come-at-expense-o https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201581-possible-restructuring-of-agricultural-administration-will-not-come-at-expense-o Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:23:00 +0300 The aim of the possible restructuring of Bulgaria's agricultural administration is to streamline the general administration, but not at the expense of specialized units, Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski said on Thursday. He made the statement during a tour of wineries in the Melnik, Petrich and Sandanski areas in Southwestern Bulgaria, where he symbolically launched the grape harvest. Abrovski said that if the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture is restructured and merged with another body, then controls along the Black Sea coast, the Danube and inland areas will not be reduced but strengthened. The minister said that talks with the European Commission have been held before any action is taken. It has been explained that controls along the northern and southern sections of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast will be maintained and even strengthened, while teams from the forestry authorities — the Executive Forests Agency — will provide additional capacity for inspections inland and along the Danube. According to Abrovski, the two agencies largely perform control functions in the same locations. The aim of the possible restructuring is to streamline the general administration, but not at the expense of specialized administration. The minister said preliminary data indicate that the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture is expected to reduce its general administration by around 26 staff members, while the specialized control administration will be fully retained. He stressed that fishermen will not be disadvantaged, as the officials they currently work with will continue to perform their duties. "We want to strengthen controls. Controls will continue, they will be streamlined and they will remain at the required level," the minister said. He further noted that enhanced checks are being carried out on grape imports into Bulgaria. The inspections are being conducted jointly with the Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency and cover not only grapes but all seasonal fruit and vegetables entering the country. Officials are checking the documentation, origin and prices of the produce, the minister said. According to Abrovski, phytosanitary controls are being carried out one hundred per cent, along with laboratory testing, to ensure that produce entering Bulgaria meets quality requirements. At present, wine grapes are imported mainly from Turkiye, the minister said. He added that, regarding imports from third countries, talks are being held with the authorities in the countries of origin, including on checks of declared prices. "We cannot close our borders, but we can ensure that the price at which produce enters the country is appropriate and that its quality meets all requirements," the minister said. He said that checks have raised doubts about the price of some imported grapes and that the Bulgarian authorities are therefore taking action within their legal powers. Bulgaria Valentin Evstatiev BTA correspondent Denitsa Kyuchukova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1201508-pm-radev-says-bulgaria-can-be-proud-of-its-achievements-in-space-sector https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1201508-pm-radev-says-bulgaria-can-be-proud-of-its-achievements-in-space-sector Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:25:00 +0300 Bulgaria can be proud of its achievements in the space sector, as every nation must contribute to the development of the European space ecosystem, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told journalists in Paris on Thursday. The Prime Minister is visiting Paris at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron to attend the International Space Summit. "Bulgaria's participation in this international space symposium is highly significant and impactful. We command great respect and authority," said Radev. "If we respect history, we must acknowledge that President Macron was the first to initiate the debate on strategic European autonomy; today's forum is a continuation of that vision, as space is a key pillar of it and offers Europe an opportunity to advance in high-tech sectors linked to the economy, defence, and all areas of human activity," the Prime Minister added. He highlighted EnduroSat as a leading investor in the French aerospace industry, adding that starting in 2029, Europe’s largest launch vehicle, Ariane 6, will carry satellites manufactured by EnduroSat into orbit across several missions. We also have Bulgarian companies working on data analysis for the Sentinel program, demonstrating that Bulgaria is making significant strides," said Radev. The Prime Minister expressed hope that within a few years, the country would have a substantial facility capable of attracting Bulgarian talent and international investors, enabling Bulgaria to advance space exploration, science, and defence technologies at the highest level. "Competition is fierce. We see the space sectors in the US and China developing at a rapid pace, and the only way to remain competitive is to overcome fragmentation within Europe regarding defence and space science and industry. That is the basis of the call made by the President of the European Commission and President Macron to join forces, because a strong European space ecosystem relies on the significant contribution of each individual nation," he remarked. World Liliya Yordanova Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201452-continue-the-change-seeks-parliamentary-hearing-of-bnt-cem-heads-over-georgi-an https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201452-continue-the-change-seeks-parliamentary-hearing-of-bnt-cem-heads-over-georgi-an Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:49:37 +0300 Continue the Change (CC) submitted a request for a parliamentary hearing of Bulgarian National Television (BNT) Director General Milena Milotinova and Council for Electronic Media (CEM) Chair Gabriela Naplatanova over the removal of long-serving journalist and TV anchor Georgi Angelov from its programme History.BG, CC leader Asen Vasilev told a briefing at the National Assembly on Thursday. Vasilev said History.BG was a long-running programme that had continued under different administrations without interference in its editorial policy. He said it was important to establish why Angelov had been removed, what the reasons were and whether the decision was related in any way to the programme's editorial policy or to episodes that had already been planned. "We expect an explanation and want to see the reasons in writing, supported by facts and data. Let us see that this decision really has nothing to do with the programme's editorial policy," Vasilev said. On Wednesday, Angelov announced his removal in a Facebook post, saying that BNT's programme director had informed him that he would no longer host History.BG or work as its editor. He said he would comment on the reasons once he received them in writing, adding that it had also been officially confirmed that his other programme on BNT2, To Europe and Forward, had been taken off the air. "I admit, this is a really effective way of making me shut up," Angelov wrote, adding that he had considered it a great responsibility to work "in the name of truth." BNT said in a statement that it was not parting with any of its presenters or long-serving journalists. Following an analysis of how viewers perceive its programmes, as well as its overall programming and plans, the broadcaster said it had decided that each programme should have a permanent presenter rather than rotating hosts, as was the case with History.BG. The changes to History.BG mean that Andrey Zahariev will be its sole presenter. BNT added that Angelov had been offered the opportunity to submit ideas for developing cultural and educational content. Bulgaria Tatiana Marinova Liliya Yordanova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201454-electing-supreme-judicial-council-is-exceptionally-important-for-bulgaria-s-deve https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201454-electing-supreme-judicial-council-is-exceptionally-important-for-bulgaria-s-deve Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:38:00 +0300 The election of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) is exceptionally important for Bulgaria’s development in all areas, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told reporters in Paris on Thursday.  "I find it very easy to explain why some parties are not fielding their own candidates. You saw the policy of GERB - until recently the largest party - not to field a candidate," Radev commented further. “Clearly, there is fear and internal confusion, but we must do everything possible in Parliament to select, together with all parties, the most suitable candidates,” the Prime Minister added. Radev is in the French capital at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron to participate in the International Space Summit. Earlier on Thursday, Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov said on Bulgarian National Television that he expects the new Supreme Judicial Council to be elected by mid-November, and a prosecutor general to be appointed by early spring 2027. A procedure for the election of new SJC members is underway following amendments to the Judicial System Act that Parliament adopted on June 26. The Council has 25 members: 22 elective and three ex officio (the presidents of the two supreme courts and the prosecutor general). The elective members represent the three magistrate communities (judges, prosecutors, and investigating magistrates) in the SJC's two chambers: Judges Chamber and Prosecutors Chamber. Bulgaria https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201431-dsb-urges-media-regulator-to-look-into-removal-of-journalist-georgi-angelov-by-p https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201431-dsb-urges-media-regulator-to-look-into-removal-of-journalist-georgi-angelov-by-p Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:39:00 +0300 Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party has notified the European Commission and the European Board for Media Services and is awaiting an explanation from the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) over journalist Georgi Angelov’s removal from the air, the party’s press office said. DSB’s national leadership will file a report with the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), asking it to determine whether the decision concerning Angelov was based on editorial criteria or resulted from political pressure, including pressure from Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov. “National television has taken journalist Georgi Angelov off the air. He has hosted the programme Istoriya.BG since its launch. His other programme, To Europe and Beyond, on BNT2, has also been taken off the air. For DSB, this is a signal with a clear political meaning that fits into a broader trend in recent months. This is yet another blow to BNT’s independence,” DSB said. “When Ivo Hristov was approved as Deputy Prime Minister with a portfolio including education and culture, to which he has unilaterally added interference in the media sphere, we warned that the appointment appeared to be a bid for control over the narrative of Bulgaria’s past,” the statement said. According to DSB, the Deputy Prime Minister has already publicly divided journalists into professionals and those he describes as propagandists, including in an interview with the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). This constitutes unacceptable interference by the executive branch in the editorial policies of public-service media and an attempt to determine who has the right to have a voice in the public sphere, the party said. DSB said BNT owed the public a clear and convincing explanation as to why Angelov was leaving the airwaves now and why it was this particular journalist. According to the party, citing changes to the programme schedule does not remove the need for transparency in decisions of this kind at a publicly funded media organisation. Georgi Angelov announced on Facebook Thursday that BNT's programme director had informed him that he would no longer host or edit History.BG, adding that it had also been officially confirmed that his other programme, To Europe and Forward, had been taken off air. BNT said in a statement that it was not parting with any of its presenters or long-serving journalists, explaining that, following an analysis of audience perceptions, its overall programming and future plans, it had decided that programmes should have permanent rather than rotating presenters. The explanation was criticised by Yes, Bulgaria, which said it was obscured by “verbal fog” and failed to answer the key question of why Angelov had been removed, questioning whether there was a professional reason or whether his openly critical stance towards the authorities had become unacceptable. The party said such administrative euphemisms only strengthened suspicions of political retaliation and could encourage self-censorship among journalists, while accusing Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov of contributing to pressure on journalists and calling on the government to account for the gap between its stated commitment to media freedom and its conduct. Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev said Angelov's removal had “crossed the line”, adding that his party had requested documents on the matter and would seek hearings of the BNT Director General and the Chair of the Council for Electronic Media to establish the written motives for the decision, the criteria for the programming change and whether it was related to editorial content. Bulgaria Petya Dikova Marin Kolev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201417-gerb-will-not-offer-unsolicited-support-to-presidential-candidates-party-leader https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201417-gerb-will-not-offer-unsolicited-support-to-presidential-candidates-party-leader Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:38:44 +0300 GERB will not offer unsolicited support to any presidential candidate in the October 25 election, party leader Boyko Borissov told reporters in Vidin Thursday following a meeting with local party structures. Borissov emphasized that GERB will not nominate its own presidential candidate, stressing that the party will only consider supporting a candidate if asked. “Unsolicited support is not given,” he pointed out. Commenting on the nomination committee backing presidential election tandem Iliana Iotova and Kiril Valchev, Borissov said its members were invited in a personal capacity and their participation does not commit GERB in any way. He also said the ticket of Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev will not win GERB voters, and questioned the composition of their nomination committee. Borissov stated that GERB is mobilizing its local structures ahead of the upcoming local elections in 2027, and criticized what he described as efforts to remove GERB members from local governments because of their political affiliation and replace them with “traitors,” saying this only strengthens the party.  Borissov accused Democratic Bulgaria of working against the Gurov/Kandev presidential ticket while seeking influence over the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council in talks with Progressive Bulgaria. Regarding the new Council, Borissov said no one has approached GERB and he has prohibited party members from holding talks on the issue. He also voiced concern about the economy, citing the high budget deficit, new borrowing and a lack of measures to address inflation and rising prices. Bulgaria BTA Correspondent Silvia Ivanova Filip Pavlov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201472-ombudsman-proposes-changes-to-heat-energy-cost-allocation-rules-financial-suppo https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201472-ombudsman-proposes-changes-to-heat-energy-cost-allocation-rules-financial-suppo Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:28:40 +0300 National Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has sent a recommendation to Energy Minister Iva Petrova, proposing changes in the regulatory framework on heat energy cost allocation and financial support for low-income households, the Ombudsman’s Office said Thursday. The proposal follows complaints from citizens about the high cost of remote-reading devices, automatically charged high consumption and a lack of transparency in setting heat cost allocation fees. By January 1, 2027, households must install hot water meters, heat allocators and individual remote-reading water meters. The costs of the devices reach hundreds of euro, yet their installing does not guarantee real monthly readings. The Ombudsman noted that in some buildings, where all homes already have remote-reading devices, heat cost accountants continue to take readings only once a year.Under the Energy Act, where all properties in a building are fitted with remote meters, customers must receive billing information based on actual consumption at least once a month, although some heat cost accountants charge an additional fee for monthly readings. The Ombudsman said that estimated bills should no longer be issued where remote meters are available, except in cases of technical difficulties or where homeowners have decided otherwise and proposed that customers receive monthly information on their meter readings. The Ombudsman also called for clear rules for cases where remote-reading devices are not installed by January 1, 2027, including a possible extension of the deadline. After that date, some households may still have functioning, certified hot water meters with visual readings that do not meet the remote-reading requirement. The Ombudsman said it should therefore be clarified whether such meters will be treated as missing or faulty and on what grounds. According to Delcheva, changing the heat cost accountant is practically impossible due to the high cost of replacing devices, as customers are tied to their chosen provider for the devices' usual 10-year service life. The Ombudsman therefore proposed a unified standard for heat allocation devices, allowing customers to switch providers without replacing the devices. The recommendation also addresses remote-reading hot water meters. Meters installed by heat cost accountants cannot be independently read by Water and Sewerage Holding (W&S), and vice versa, forcing consumers to pay extra for transferring data between the companies, even though the cost is already included in the price of W&S services. The Ombudsman proposed that such data transfers be free of charge. Delcheva also called for greater transparency in setting fees for account servicing and meter readings, which are currently negotiated between heating companies and heat cost accountants without consumer involvement. She cited a recommendation of the Commission for Protection of Competition that customers should be able to negotiate contract terms and prices directly with their chosen heat cost accountant. If there is no real competition, another possible solution is regulating the heat energy allocation costs. The Ombudsman also proposed financial support for low-income households required to purchase remote-reading devices and called on the Energy Ministry to introduce regulatory changes to better protect heating service consumers. Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova has sent a letter to National Revenue Agency Executive Director Boris Mihaylov, calling for an inspection of the price increase for the heat energy allocation service for the 2026/2027 season for customers of Toplofikatsiya Sofia. Bulgaria BTA intern Ivayla Kirilova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201434-artists-university-lecturers-scientists-among-founders-of-nomination-committee https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201434-artists-university-lecturers-scientists-among-founders-of-nomination-committee Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:08:00 +0300 Creators, artists, writers, university lecturers, and scientists are among the founders of the Nomination Committee to back Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev as candidates for president and vice president in the October 25 elections. The founding meeting took place at the Toplocentrala Centre for Contemporary Arts in Sofia on Thursday. At the event, the charter establishing the Nomination Committee was adopted. It will have two co-chairs - opera singer Alexandrina Pendatchanska and journalist Konstantin Valkov, said Hristo Hristov of the Committee. It has over 200 members, including creators, artists, writers, university lecturers, scientists, and people who have succeeded in their fields, who are well-known and active in society, and who have held various government posts, he noted. They serve as an example of how one can succeed when there is a normal environment for development, Hristov remarked. He emphasized that the Committee includes no representatives from any political party. In Hristov's words, Gurov and Kandev intend to restore the presidential institution to its true purpose - to serve as a guarantor of the constitutional model of Bulgarian democracy and the national interests beyond political divisions. Prof. Kosta Kostov, a member of the Nomination Committee, said Bulgaria needs a president who will serve as a check on the government, because democracy is not one-party rule. He noted that the President is also the Commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, and Bulgaria finds itself in a unique geopolitical situation.  "We need a check and balance that will say 'no' if we act against the interests of the European Union and NATO. We cannot be bad, disloyal partners, as certain trends are suggesting," he added. “I do not see any other presidential ticket that meets the requirements of my moral check and balance,” Prof. Kostov further stated. "We must be patriots with a European perspective," he added. "We have clearly stated that all GERB voters are welcome to vote, and we urge them to do so, because GERB is a pro-European party and they should have no other choice," Kostov noted. Rumyana Bachvarova said she was backing the Gurov-Kandev presidential ticket because while she worked with them until a few months ago, there were no hesitations at any point. "We built relationships that benefited everyone,” she added. On September 1, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gurov (February 19-May 8, 2026) and former acting Secretary General of the Interior Ministry Georgi Kandev (February 27-June 8, 2026) announced that they will run in the presidential elections in October. Bulgaria Dimitrina Solakova Yoana Hristova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201399-parliament-passes-bill-to-curb-slapp-lawsuits-against-journalists-public-intere https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201399-parliament-passes-bill-to-curb-slapp-lawsuits-against-journalists-public-intere Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:13 +0300 Parliament on Thursday passed on first reading amendments to the Civil Procedure Code submitted by the Council of Ministers. The bill transposes the requirements of an EU directive aimed at protecting people engaged in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings. The changes concern so-called SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation). Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov explained that such proceedings use litigation for purposes other than protecting an infringed right, with the duration and costs of court proceedings potentially being used to exert reputational or economic pressure on defendants. Naydenov stressed that the proposed safeguards were not intended solely for journalists and media outlets but would cover anyone exercising the freedoms of expression and information. The changes are expected to provide better protection for journalists, human rights defenders and members of the academic community, he said. The bill provides for a new chapter in the Civil Procedure Code setting out special rules for proceedings arising from a defendant’s public participation. It defines public participation as statements or activities undertaken in the exercise of freedom of expression and information, freedom of the arts and sciences, and freedom of assembly and association when they concern a matter of public interest. The proposed rules would allow courts to dismiss manifestly unfounded claims at an early stage. Additional safeguards for defendants would apply in cases involving an imbalance between the parties, excessive or unjustified claims, multiple or coordinated proceedings, intimidation or harassment, abuse of procedural rights, forum shopping intended to exert pressure, or attempts to discredit the defendant. The bill would also allow courts to collect evidence on their own initiative, while non-profit organizations and professional and trade union organizations could submit evidence in support of defendants. To limit economic pressure, interim measures securing a claim would not be allowed without convincing written evidence, while defendants could seek security for reasonably expected legal costs. The amendments also provide for lawyers to offer defendants legal assistance free of charge. The amendments were approved at first reading by 173 votes in favour from Progressive Bulgaria, GERB-UDF, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change, with nine MPs from Vazrazhdane abstaining. Stefan Arsov of GERB-UDF said not every lawsuit against a journalist was a SLAPP and not every dispute between a citizen and a media outlet amounted to censorship. GERB-UDF would support the bill not to give anyone special privileges but to ensure that court proceedings remained a means of protecting rights rather than intimidating people, he said. Peter Petrov of Vazrazhdane argued that this was not the first time an EU directive had been used to introduce changes going beyond its scope. Any restriction of claimants’ rights should be justified, he said, adding that freedom of expression should be protected while the rights of both parties to proceedings should also be guaranteed. He expressed concern that the new procedure would not ensure equality between the parties and said Vazrazhdane would not support the bill at first reading. Nikoleta Todorova of Progressive Bulgaria said the directive applied to civil and commercial cases with cross-border implications but allowed, and the European Commission recommended, similar safeguards to be introduced for domestic cases as well. Lyuben Ivanov of Democratic Bulgaria said his group would support the amendments because society needed such a procedure. He cited a BGN 1 million claim against Mediapool and lawsuits brought by mayors against journalists and public figures. Bulgarian journalists should not be protected only in cases with a cross-border dimension while remaining without equivalent safeguards in domestic proceedings, he said. Velislav Velichkov of Continue the Change said the legislation was overdue and argued that court proceedings had increasingly been used to restrict freedom of speech. Defendants in such cases needed timely and adequate protection so that they would not have stopped working or become afraid to express opinions by the time an unfounded claim was eventually dismissed, he said. Velichkov nevertheless voiced concerns about courts being able to establish facts and collect evidence on their own initiative, as well as about the provision concerning free legal assistance. In closing the debate, Naydenov also said the principle of courts acting on their own initiative was not foreign to civil procedure. He rejected claims that the bill introduced state-funded free legal aid, explaining that it merely allowed lawyers to represent defendants without charge, outside the mechanisms of the National Legal Aid Bureau. Bulgaria Tatiana Marinova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201396-initiative-committee-proposes-minors-be-eligible-for-prison-sentences-of-up-to-1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201396-initiative-committee-proposes-minors-be-eligible-for-prison-sentences-of-up-to-1 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:55:57 +0300 The Justice for Georgi Kuzev initiative committee proposes discussing amendments to Article 63 of the Penal Code to allow for minors to be sentenced to effective imprisonment terms ranging from eight to 15 years. This was announced by lawyer Atanas Boyadzhiev, a member of the committee, at a BTA-hosted news conference in Sofia on Thursday. Georgi Kuzev, 37, was killed in Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria) on August 4 by a group of minors, who self-described as "paedophile hunters". A total of eight individuals - six boys and two girls - have been charged with the murder. The case sparked intense public debate about the role of social media, online content, and the digital environment in shaping teenagers' behaviour. Among the changes proposed by the committee is a requirement for the court to conduct an individual assessment of the offender's age, emotional and intellectual maturity, capacity to comprehend the act, the nature and intensity of the criminal intent, and other criteria. Following this assessment, the court would be required to set out its reasoning regarding these circumstances. Currently, the Penal Code stipulates that for crimes falling under Article 116 (aggravated murder), a minor offender may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment ranging from five to 12 years. "This draft proposal, including the supporting arguments and suggested changes, will be submitted Thursday to the National Assembly's registry. We intend to notify Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov to spark a debate in which magistrates, academics, and relevant institutions can reach the right decisions," Boyadzhiev said. He pointed to an escalating trend, noting that while three murders were committed by minors last year, there have already been eight such cases since the beginning of this year. The proposal prepared by the committee includes the specific amendments, the rationale behind them, and an assessment of their potential impact. Bulgaria Marin Kolev Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201382-regional-development-minister-believes-hemus-motorway-is-likely-to-reach-veliko- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1201382-regional-development-minister-believes-hemus-motorway-is-likely-to-reach-veliko- Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:48:36 +0300 The Hemus Motorway could reach Veliko Tarnovo within two and a half to three years, with another year required for its complete construction, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Shishkov, said here Thursday. He was speaking after a meeting in Veliko Tarnovo with the mayors of municipalities directly involved in the motorway's construction. According to him, all the mayors supported the option of continuing construction under existing contracts rather than initiating new procedures. "Everyone stated clearly and precisely that they want us to build Hemus Motorway. 'Let’s start building it right now,' they said," Shishkov added. He said that the meeting was necessary due to legal complications over contracts concluded in 2018 and 2019, under which advance payments had been made but much of the construction work had not been carried out. According to the minister, terminating the contracts and initiating new procedures would lead to legal disputes, loss of funding, and a delay of approximately five years. Therefore, the Ministry will continue negotiations with the construction industry to amend the contracts under new rules and with significantly stricter oversight. Shishkov emphasized that construction companies would have to prove to the public that they could fulfil their commitments. Construction oversight will change, and the state will not provide new advance payments. The plan is for construction to be carried out first, followed by payment, with settlements continuing even after the projects are completed. He added that this model aligns with both the need for quality control and the capabilities of the state budget. Alongside the Hemus project, the state is also working on the motorway from Ruse to Veliko Tarnovo, which is now viewed as part of the Ruse–Veliko Tarnovo–Makaza corridor. According to Shishkov, the first two lots of the motorway are currently under construction, and the contract for the detailed spatial plan for the section leading to the city is set to be awarded in the coming weeks. The route alignment up to the area beyond it will remain unchanged; subsequently, procedures for route selection and environmental impact assessment for the section extending to Makaza will proceed. He stated that future funding for the Ruse–Veliko Tarnovo–Makaza motorway could be secured through European funds during the next programming period or via a concession.  Bulgaria Atanas Malakchiev BTA correspondent Nikolay Venkov