Bulgarian press review, January 25, 2010

Press Review
Sofia, January 25

THE HOME SCENE

"24 Chassa" carries an interview with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, in which he names the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) as GERB's main political opponent. Borissov says that unlike other loud political formations, the MRF are acting on the sly, in a European manner. The MRF backs GERB's good intentions in Parliament and no one could accuse them of sabotaging the state. The Prime Minister also says that they are very careful to conceal any involvement in any spots of tension in the country. Media, related to the MRF, have gone soft on the government. Dogan knows that every one of his political allies in the past 20 years has failed spectacularly, Borissov recalls. The Prime Minister is categorical that his government will be in power as long as it manages to govern alone. An hour after this becomes impossible, Borissov vows to hand in his resignation. Bargains with other parliamentary groups in a vote of no-confidence scenario, will mean that the GERB cause has failed.

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In a "Troud" interview, MRF deputy leader Lyutvi Mestan forecasts that the era of GERB will be succeeded by the era of entrepreneurship. The idea of the messiah in politics is dying out and it will be replaced by pragmatism. The groundwork is laid for new political projects. Mestan argues that the entrepreneurship is the counterpoint of the messiah, where the mindset is that man is self-sufficient and the state is only his partner.

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Interviewed by "Sega", political analyst Vladimir Shopov says that the Jeleva lesson shows that GERB power has its limits. According to him, the failure of Jeleva's nomination may be rooted in GERB's sense of infallibility as a party that always wins elections and beats everyone. To some extent, this sense has reflected on GERB's self-perception as a force on the foreign political scene. The excessive attention by the European People's Party and the serious investments in GERB as a political project have contributed to the conviction that purely political support is enough for the success of Jeleva's nomination.

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In an analysis "Monitor" writes that Kristalina Georgieva's nomination has shown Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's swift reaction. The attacks against the Bulgarian Commissioner-designate, Jeleva's withdrawal from the post and Georgieva's nomination have reduced the risk of an open political confrontation in the European Parliament.

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In a interview for "24 Chassa", Justice Minister Margarita Popova says that now it is victims, and not offenders, who are suffering at the hands of justice. Popova says that revisions to the Penal Code aim to speed up high-profile cases.The changes envisage a back-up defence lawyer in the pre-trial and trial phase.The Justice Minister also notes that under the Penal Code police officers are not trusted as witness and that a decisive reform is called for to change the existing rules.

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"Troud" headlines "GERB Loses Blue Coalition's Support, If It Touches Gambling." In an interview Sunday on the Bulgarian National Radio, Blue Coalition co-leader Ivan Kostov warned the government that his coalition would withdraw its support if the cabinet changes the gambling tax in favour of businessman Vassil Bozhkov. Kostov explained that his concern stemmed from rumours spreading in Parliament that gambling laws would be changed. Kostov also said that the Blue Coalition approves of the cabinet reshuffle, although it had not been consulted by GERB.

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"Troud" reports that MP Mihail Mikov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party called for the resignation of the Health Minister on the Bulgarian National Radio on Sunday. Mikov had been shocked at the Minister's remark that hospitals that are about to be closed under the plans of his Ministry "are sowing death." Mikov also raised the question of what would happen with the equipment of the shut hospitals. According to Mikov, the reserve of 1.5 billion leva of the National Health Insurance Fund should be unblocked. Mikov said that it had not been accrued to prop up the fiscal reserve.

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In an interview for "24 Chassa", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Nikola Subotinov says that scientific fields that are making headway will not fall victim to the structural reform at the academy. Subotinov launches the idea of a research university under the academy, which will make full use of the academy facilities (nuclear reactor, research vessel, observatory, laboratories, museums) and staff capabilities without transferring research activities to universities.

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"Sega" informs of the casualties and chaos, caused by the cold weather. The country has been in a snowy grip since the middle of the week. The cold has claimed five lives. Dozens of vehicles have been abandoned and a number of places have been left with no electricity, water or food. Northeastern Bulgaria was impassable because of drifts.

ECONOMY

In a "24 Chassa" analysis, President's aide and former deputy finance minister Kiril Ananiev lists seven upsides to a sensible 2 per cent deficit, which will be working towards concrete objectives: to support the business mostly through covering back payments for work done; to stimulate demand; to update the minimum wage and pay in the public sector; to provide a push for the key budget reforms and to sustain investment in major infrastructure projects.

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"Troud" writes that the crisis has destroyed 1,500 construction companies. Big companies are experiencing difficulties, while middle and small-sized companies are going bankrupt. The number of construction businesses in operation has plunged from 5,700 to 4,100-4,200, according to Regional Development Minister Rosen Plevneliev in a radio interview. In his words, this is the price Bulgaria is paying for the easy money that had gone to people's heads.

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"Troud" writes that Bulgaria runs the risk of losing at least 15 to 20 per cent of the EU funds for environment, after the Stanishev cabinet concealed four important letters from the European Commission. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told a news conference that the European Commission had told the government to put an end to the schemes for money siphoning. In return, the government officials concealed all correspondence with the European Commission on the OP Environment and ISPA. Borissov said this was a sabotage and vowed to punish those responsible.
Former environment minister Djevdet Chakurov denied any concealed correspondnece between his ministry and the EC during his tenure.

Links to some Bulgarian info websites in English:

http://www.bta.bg/site/en/indexe.shtml
http://www.novinite.com/index.php
http://www.focus-fen.net/

Most discussed topics of the day – Sofia, January 25, 2010

· A Taliban rocket attack hit the Kandahar NATO Air Base late Sunday night during the visit of the Bulgarian Defense Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, there. US Ambassador to Bulgaria James Warlick has extended his sympathies to the families of the four Bulgarian soldiers who were injured in the attack.

· Two kilometer TIR line is formed along Kulata checkpoint on the Bulgarian side of the border with Greece. The line along the Promachonas checkpoint is almost double. Cars, mini buses and buses are allowed using the border. Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) will inform its head office, located in Geneva, about the crisis condition along border checkpoints on Bulgarian-Greek border. The volunteers will help 250 people, who are waiting for hours along the checkpoint the Greek farmers to lift the blockage.