Geshev enters politics via YouTube
In a staged video on YouTube that began "Dear Bulgarian brothers and sisters" and replete with archaic populist vocabulary, Ivan Geshev announced that he had resigned as a prosecutor and was leaving the judicial system. He also indicated his intention to enter politics with the promise to continue "the battle for truth and justice in our Fatherland", and "with the clear understanding that political problems are solved by political means".
The address was filmed against the background of the Bulgarian flag and the flag of the EU. Unlike the usual style of his statements, the text was clearly written in advance and Geshev carefully read it from the autocue. However, the message was familiar - the "forces of darkness" had removed him via a change in the laws made specifically for Geshev under the guise of European standards to prevent "our long-standing work on key cases of high public interest".
Govt appointments strain coalition
A rift has opened up inside the Denkov-Gabriel cabinet, just two weeks after it was elected, concerning administrative appointments without which the executive power cannot function properly.
Filling the positions of deputy ministers and regional governors has strained relations between the rotation partners, it seems. Earlier today GERB MP Rumen Hristov told BNT that WCC are trying to occupy all positions of power, and hinted that "if this is the way it continues", the cabinet is in question.
One of the first causes of tension was the candidacy for the European Investment Bank of Violeta Laurer, wife of WCC MP Daniel Laurer. She resigned from the position, but GERB issued a statement that "such discrepancies in communication between partners are unacceptable" and they would not tolerate them in the future.
Bulgartransgaz doubles profit to over BGN 280 million
State-owned Bulgartransgaz has reported double revenues and profit for 2022. The gas transmission operator ended the year with a profit of BGN 283.4 million compared to 141 million in 2021.
The total amount of liabilities decreased to BGN 2.6 billion. (at BGN 2.8 billion in 2021), but nevertheless remain significant, the company's annual report shows. Most of its commercial obligations are related to activities on the gas connection with Serbia, as well as the Arkad consortium. Under the contract for the disputed Turkish Stream, for the next 10 years the company must pay the amount for its construction (over BGN 2 billion) at an annual interest rate of 3%, and there are also payments for the compressor stations for the project.
Geshev enters politics via YouTube
In a staged video on YouTube that began "Dear Bulgarian brothers and sisters" and replete with archaic populist vocabulary, Ivan Geshev announced that he had resigned as a prosecutor and was leaving the judicial system. He also indicated his intention to enter politics with the promise to continue "the battle for truth and justice in our Fatherland", and "with the clear understanding that political problems are solved by political means".
