April 27, Tuesday

THE HOME SCENE

"Troud" runs commentaries by three social scientists under the
headline "Snap Elections Now? No Way!" According to Andrei
Raichev, the GERB party is strong enough to win any elections,
though in the conditions of a political crisis. Raichev
forecasts a plunge in voter turnout, adding that the worst
outcome would be a random election result, reflected in an
artificial and random legislature. Zhivko Georgiev believes that
early elections now would yield the same players as those in
the 41st National Assembly and there would be no dramatic
change. The only new party that may make it to Parliament is the
National Movement for Surge and Stability. Georgiev expects
that Ataka would win the fewest seats. According to Vassil
Tonchev, the idea of early elections is ridiculous and anyone
working towards that goal, will suffer the consequences. What is
needed is calm and stability to ride out the crisis smoothly.

***

"Sega" carries an item that every country deserves its prime
minister.
The article raises the question how it is possible for
high-profile arrests and replacing the state with law
enforcement organizations to be approved by the public and how
reforms, economic stability and prosperity can be sidelined,
while turning into a priority putting criminals behind bars.

***

"Troud" reports that persons in debt will be allowed to leave
the country.
Under a decision of the Supreme Administrative Court, Bulgarian
nationals
cannot be banned from travelling to EU countries on the grounds
of having outstanding liabilities. The restriction violates
Directive 2004/38/EC and case law of the European Court of
Justice in Luxembourg. The movement of EU citizens within the
Union is restricted only on grounds relating to public policy,
public security and public health. Restriction should not serve
economic ends.

***

"President Vetoes Academic Personnel Development Act," reports
"Troud".
President Georgi Purvanov has vetoed provisions in the Academic
Personnel Development Act, it emerged at a meeting of the head
of state with young researchers. According to Purvanov, certain
provisions in the act "breach the Constitution, EU law and
existing legislation in Bulgaria." The President says
that the act does not specify conditions for academic activities
and career development for young scientists. He also objects to
the vague criteria for awarding academic positions.

***

"Three Sign-in Campaigns Send Ripples Through BSP," writes "24
Chassa".
The headquarters of the Bulgarian Socialist Party were buzzing
with news of three sign-in campaigns on Monday for the
convention of a congress and the election of a party leader. The
BSP leadership convened the regional party organizations to
discuss the country's current state of affairs. Kornelia Ninova,
who has been rumoured for the post of BSP leader, dismissed
allegations that together with Kiril Dobrev has launched a
campaign to overthrow present leader Sergei Stanishev. In a "24
Chassa" interview, Dobrev says that the problem is not Stanishev
himself, but the lack of a unifying nomination for his post.

***

"Troud" runs an interview with Tatyana Doncheva, former MP of
the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and founder of the 21
Movement political movement, in which she says that she will
never play a part in any political games, masterminded by the
BSP. Doncheva explains that the 21 Movement is a civil movement,
which seeks to put citizens at the core of public life, to
provide a civil alternative to the chaos and invoking of fear.
In this respect, the use of party structures is ill-advised, as
due to its workings, the political system and the traditional
tools of the multu-party system gave spread to hatred and
resentment among citizens. Doncheva is adamant that party
affiliation does not run counter to being member of the
movement.

ECONOMY

"Sega" reports that non-performing loans have tripled in a year.
Some 4.87 billion leva, or 12.58 per cent of all extended loans
are non-performing, show figures by the Bulgarian National
Bank. In the past year, non-performing loans increased by 3.36
billion leva, up three-fold year-on-year. Non-performing
mortgage loans increased sixfold, from 2.6 per cent to 12.06 per
cent from a year earlier. Non-performing business loans grew
from 4.2 per cent to 12.1 per cent.

***

In a "24 Chassa" analysis Tihomir Bezlov warns that foreign
secret services would
soon move to target cigarette contraband in Bulgaria. Bezlov
says that the market of contraband cigarettes in Bulgaria in the
autumn of 2009 stood at between 25 and 29 per cent. According
to projections, in 2010 the black market would account for 35 to
45 per cent of the total market. Bulgarian and foreign experts
suggest that
influential organized criminal groups are trying to take over
the cigarette market.
In cases pointing to transnational organized crime and political
influence, multinational tobacco companies would turn for help
to their countries and secret services, as they can't afford to
lose a sizable excise market in a EU country. A war is on the
cards, which will be lost by Bulgaria's budget.

***

"Troud" reports that control of EU funds absorption will loosen.
The Ministry of Regional Development has scrapped mandatory
ex-ante control of municipal public procurement tenders under
EU-funded projects. Deputy Regional Development Minister Lilyana
Pavlova told a news conference on Monday that from now on
ex-ante control will be exercised only after a risk analysis has
been carried out. She reported that so far 1 billion leva have
been contracted under the EU Operational Programme for Regional
Development. However, as little as 123 million leva have been
paid out.
***
In a "Klassa" interview, EU Minister in charge of EU funds
Tomislav Donchev says that
although procedures are streamlined, there will be no radical
changes. According to him, a good model for EU funds absorption
involves a considerable degree of decentralization.

***

"Troud" writes that under changes to the Social Insurance Code,
which will be considered by the government at its Wednesday
meeting, the third day of short-term
sick leave will be at the expense of workers. The first and
second day will be covered by employers at 100 per cent and 60
per cent respectively of a worker's wages.
The measure will be in place until December 31, 2010. The
National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, consisting of the
government, trade unions and employers, did not reach an
agreement at its latest meeting. The trade unions were against
the proposal for workers being paid for two days out of a
three-day sick leave, while employers suggested that they cover
50 per cent of workers' pay for the first three days.

***

"Troud" frontpages that Bulgarian trains are illegal. The
Bulgarian State Railways
uses illegal locomotives and cars to carry its passengers. The
majority of trains run on expired safety certificates and have
not undergone safety testing. Of the 320 locomotives that are
operating, 300 do not have a safety certificate. Half the cars
are also non-certified. The Transport Ministry has confirmed the
report.

BULGARIA-EU

"Standart News" reports that Brussels has commended Bulgaria for
its stable budget.
Bulgaria's convergence programme was approved Monday by an
extended
meeting of the EU General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Council.
The Commission took stock of the fact that the programme aims to
strengthen the sustainability of public finances and at the
same time invites Bulgaria to continue to pursue strict fiscal
policies and implement the planned structural reforms.


FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"Standart News" caps "Within Hour's Drive to Nis." The motorway
linking Sofia and the Serbian town of Nis with 250,000
population should be ready within two years. This was agreed by
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Serbian
counterpart Mirko Cvetkovic during a meeting in Belgrade. The
Bulgarian stretch of the motorway is 60 km long and funding for
it has yet to be secured. Serbia has received money for its 100
km stretch from the World Bank and the European Development
Bank. The project will cost Bulgaria 350 million euro. Designs
will be ready by the end of the year.
BTA