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In an unprecedented display of mobility, parliamentary vehicles in Bulgaria‘s 51st National Assembly (NS) have collectively traversed over 66,000 kilometers in just 36 days since its inception, according to a report provided to bTV. This extensive use of official automobiles by deputies has raised eyebrows, with some prominent figures leading the pack in kilometers traveled.

Elvan Gürkash, part of the DPS-NN group, has racked up the highest mileage with an impressive 5094 km. Hot on his tail is Yucel Ahmed of GERB-SDS from Silistra, with 5019 km under his belt. Notably, Kostadin Kostadinov‘s vehicle, the leader of "Vŭzhrodba," has covered over 4100 km, while GERB-SDS’s Maneol Manev has surpassed 3900 km. Among the most traveled are also Erten Anisova from "DPS-Novo nachalo" and Peter Kenev from "BSP-Obyasnachena levitsa."

However, not all deputies are utilizing their official vehicles. Currently, only 41 out of the 51 deputies have done so, with the remaining opting for their personal vehicles.

This revelation adds another dimension to the political landscape, sparking conversation about deputy mobility and the use of public resources. As the NS continues, it will be interesting to see if these trends persist and what impact, if any, they have on the political agenda.

While this data provides intriguing insights, it also raises questions about the necessity and cost-effectiveness of such extensive travel, prompting further investigation.

Source: news.bg

Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church is United, Says Patriarch Daniel

Bulgaria’s Patriarch Daniel has affirmed the unity of the Orthodox Church, stating that according to church rules, only one canonical Orthodox Church can exist on a single territory. He made these remarks during a visit to the R mêslovsky monastery "Pokrov Bogorodichen," as reported by BNT.

"In the Law on Denominations, it is clearly stated that the traditional religion in Bulgaria is Eastern Orthodox, and its representative is the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian Patriarchate," Patriarch Daniel noted.

Expressing surprise at the decision of the Supreme Cassation Court, Patriarch Daniel recalled that in 2012, during an attempt to register another entity, the court sought an expert opinion from the Holy Synod. He explained that the court could have considered the Holy Synod’s stance, which stressed that the registration of a new entity with a slight variation in its name, as in the case of commercial companies, would not apply in this context due to the unique nature of church entities.

Highlighting the connection between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Patriarch Daniel emphasized that such unity is a prerequisite for a church to be considered Orthodox. He warned that the court’s decision seemed to reverse the progress made in the past, reflecting his concern that this move could create a schism.

"When a split occurred, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had to explain to the state that a Orthodox church is one that is in communion with other Orthodox churches. That’s why the Holy and Great Council was convened in 2016," Patriarch Daniel explained.

The Patriarch’s comments come in response to the Supreme Cassation Court’s recent ruling, made public in late December, which will have the Bulgarian Old Calendarist Church registered as a religious denomination. The key distinction of this church is its continuation of the Julian calendar for religious celebrations.

Bulgaria‘s Demographic Shift: A Turning Point in 2023, Says Expert

In an unexpected turn of events, Bulgaria witnessed a significant mechanical growth in its population in 2023, according to demographic data. This trend, if sustained this year, signals a potential shift in the country’s demographic trajectory, suggests Associate Professor Dr. Georgi B Bradford, who appeared on Nova Television’s studio.

B Bradford, a renowned writer and university professor, believes that Bulgaria is experiencing a revitalization of its demographic process. He sees each day of good health and peace as a precious gift, reminding viewers that life is a unique miracle. Despite the globalized world, Bulgarian families cherish their traditions and gather during holidays, he observes.

Rural Migrationatischen Shift

The expert predicts a growing attraction of smaller towns and villages for young, skilled professionals. He notes that this reverse migration trend, which he anticipated would gain momentum around 20 years from now, is already underway. To support this trend, B Bradford emphasizes the need for improved road infrastructure and social amenities in rural areas.

Debunking Myths About Bulgaria’s Birth Rates

Addressing misconceptions, B Bradford contests the notion that Bulgaria has a low birth rate. He clarifies that the birth rate of 1.8 is actually average for developed European countries. He points out that only a handful of countries worldwide, numbering less than ten, maintain birth rates above 3, underscoring that this demographic trend is a global phenomenon.

From Quantity to Quality

Dr. B Bradford argues that it’s not just about the number of births but also about the education and skills of the next generation. He believes that investing in human capital will changer the demographic landscape of Bulgaria for the better.

These insights from Dr. Georgi B Bradford come amidst ongoing concerns about Bulgaria’s demographic decline, which has been averaging a loss of up to 60,000 people per year since 1990, roughly the size of a medium-sized city. However, recent data shows a considerable slowdown in this decline, with only 2,200 people leaving in the last year. This could indicate a turning point in Bulgaria’s demographic story.

Headline: Bulgaria’s Hospitality Sector Slams Power Outages During Snowstorms, Urging Action for Tourists

In a stark rebuke of repeated power outages, particularly in ski resorts across the country, Bulgarian Hospitality Association and the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Bulgaria have jointly expressed outrage. They are calling for immediate action to prevent the disruption of tourism activities, which they argue are vital to the country’s economy.

The hospitality industry reports that power cuts are causing cancellations of bookings, ruining holiday plans for thousands, and inflicting significant financial losses – amounting to hundreds of thousands of levs – not to mention the missed tax revenues during peak tourist seasons.

"We’re in the 21st century, yet we face chaos every time it snows," said representatives from both associations. "Tourists are stranded on roads, with trees falling on their vehicles, and during summer, they’re stuck in kilometer-long traffic jams due to poorly planned roadworks."

Moreover, they criticized the government’s plans to increase excise duties on spirits and beer, and rumored hikes in VAT for hospitality businesses, saying these would only add to their burden.

The associations emphasized that it’s high time institutions took their role in ensuring basic living conditions for tourists seriously, to avoid embarrassing the country in the eyes of its citizens and visitors alike. They urged decision-makers to address these issues promptly to boost Bulgaria’s tourism potential and reputation.

Headline: Thousands Gather in Mogylyane to Mark 40 Years Since Anti-Assimilation Protests in Bulgaria

In a solemn yet uplifting commemoration, thousands converged today in the village of Mogylyane, Bulgaria, to pay tribute to the brave souls who fought against the totalitarian regime’s assimilationist policies four decades ago. The event honored the victims, including 17-month-old Tüyryan, whose name serves as a symbol of the struggle for democracy, rights, and freedoms.

DDPS chairman Prof. Dr. Dzhivdet Chakarov addressed the crowd, emphasizing the significance of the event as an act of remembrance, not vengeance. He acknowledged the pioneering role of DPS as the first dissenting organization in Bulgaria and recounted the stories of those persecuted during the dark times.

The ceremony began with the laying of flowers at Tüyryan’s grave, followed by a prayer led by the Chief Mufti of the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr. Mustafa Hadji. In his speech, Chakarov extended gratitude to the party’s founders and those who faced repression, echoing a clarion call for the restoration of democracy and the statehood of Bulgaria. "Democracy is not a given; it must be defended!" he asserted.

Among those present were deputy chairs of DPS, MPs, MEPs, diplomats, and guests from Turkey, including high-ranking party officials and mayors of Turkish municipalities. Special messages were conveyed by the honorary chairman of DPS, Ahmed Dogan.

For the first time, the anniversary was observed with two separate rallies, organized by the rival factions of DPS. The parliamentary group of "Democracy, Rights and Freedoms – DPS" kicked off proceedings near the village, followed by the "DPS – New Beginning" group later in the day.

Source: BulgarianNews.bg

Title: Political Storm Erupts Over Ukraine‘s Drone Brigade Plans; MP and Veteran clang

Controversy has erupted in Ukraine’s political landscape following a Facebook post by MP Mariana Bezuглая. The MP slammed the commander of the strike battalion "Akhilles" of the 92nd OshBR Yuriy Fedorenko for his political ambitions and criticized the Armed Forces Chief Alexander Syrytskyi for creating a new drone unit and a separate drone brigade outside the command of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).

"Syrytskyi is tasked with forming a large, bloated UAV unit, while ‘Madyar’, a loyalist, gets an entire drone brigade," Bezuglaya wrote. "This is happening outside the USF command to create parallel capabilities and impede the development of the command led by Vadim Sukharevsky. Meanwhile, Syrytskyi hopes to promote ‘Madyar’ to the post of USF commander."

Bezuглая also accused Fedorenko of using military parades and general "pampering" to build a political career, stating that he’s following a well-worn path of "heroic warriors in uniform" while the country remains at war.

The commander of the 414th separate battalion of strike UAVs, Robert Browdy, codenamed "Madyar," swiftly reacted to Bezuglaya’s post. He accused her of working for the enemy and warned her not to interfere in military affairs. He defended Fedorenko and argued that his unit is one of the most effective UAV subdivisions in the Ukrainian army. Madyar also denied any political ambitions or support from Syrytskyi, stressing that he is focused solely on his military duties.

In response to Bezuglaya’s criticism of the USF’s progress, Madyar cautioned her against "opening Pandora’s box" and claimed that his unit has grown from 27 soldiers without nepotism or favoritism, relying solely on trust and support. He promised to investigate Bezuglaya’s background and share his findings publicly.

As the political clash between MP Bezuglaya and veteran commander Madyar continues to unfold, Ukraine’s military and political landscape remain in a state of flux. The debate surrounding the creation of new drone units and their potential impact on military capabilities and political careers promises to keep headlines buzzing.

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