Freedom of association
Bankwatch Network Bulgaria - coordination meeting of environmental NGOs
In February 2024, several Bulgarian environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) gathered in Sofia to discuss priorities in ecological protection. The meeting was organised in preparation for the upcoming European Parliament elections, with the aim of synchronising main messages and demands for the future EP members and exploring ways to promote key initiatives in environmental protection. The meeting also served as an opportunity to present NGO initiatives, such as the Citizens’ Observatory on Green Deal Financing.
The participants identified priorities and activities focused on biodiversity, human and environmental welfare, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. They also emphasised the importance of transparency and efficiency in the use of EU funds.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Bulgarian farmers' protests spread across the country
In early February 2024, Bulgarian farmers launched nationwide protests against government agricultural policies. They announced that they would start the protest in the region of Yambol, and subsequently extend it to other places and block various transport routes, including the railway. The demonstrations, which lasted several weeks, involved road and railway blockades and were part of broader protests by agricultural workers across the European Union.
The protesters presented their demands to the authorities, and negotiations began as the demonstrations expanded. However, disagreements emerged among the protest leaders—some accepted the government's proposals, while others insisted on continuing the blockades, obstructing key transport routes.
Among those who decided to continue the protest, 26 organisations representing over 300,000 farmers nationwide announced they would gather outside the Council of Ministers on 13th February, demanding the immediate resignation of Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev. Their primary demands included doubling aid for the dairy, fruit, and vegetable sectors, lifting restrictions on Ukrainian aid, removing taxes on subsidies, revising the agricultural strategic plan, and reducing administrative burdens. Despite the protesters calling for the resignation of the Agriculture Minister, government officials stated there were no grounds for his dismissal despite the mounting pressure.
Protest: “Get the mafia out of healthcare!”
On 16th February, a medical protest took place across several towns in Bulgaria following a journalistic investigation that revealed unprofessional conduct surrounding the death of 15-year-old Danaya Kuskaya. According to recordings released by investigative journalists, members of the Medical Committee allegedly pressured the relatives of the deceased.
In response, the Danaya Foundation, the organisation leading the protest, called for the dismissal of several hospital staff. The organisers also called for a change in healthcare legislation to ensure compliance with medical standards and professional ethics.
Bulgarian Authorities Oppose Demonstration Commemorating Pro-Nazi General
Since 2003, sympathisers of General Hristo Lukov, a pro-Nazi figure and former leader of the fascist Union of Bulgarian National Legions, have organised an annual commemorative event known as the Lukov March. Despite being unauthorised, the march attracts several hundred participants each year. The event also draws opposition, often leading to organised counter-protests.
In February 2024, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly opposed the commemoration, stating that the event harms the country's international image. Ministry representatives emphasised that their stance aligns with efforts to combat hatred, discrimination, and anti-Semitism. Several diplomatic missions in Bulgaria also issued statements discouraging participation in the march or urging caution regarding the event.
Freedom of expression
Meta expands fact-checking program in Bulgaria
On 21st February 2024, Meta announced the expansion of its Third-Party Fact-Checking Program in Bulgaria. As part of this initiative, the Bulgarian platform Factcheck.bg will now verify media content published in the country. Following the company’s partnership with AFP, the platform will be Meta’s second fact-checking partner in Bulgaria.
Factcheck.bg, an initiative of the Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria (AEJ), employs trained experts and journalists to ensure the accuracy of online content. This expansion aims to enhance the reliability of information available to the public.
Concerns Over Media Pluralism and Regulatory Independence
On 18th February 2024, Bulgaria’s Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) approved significant media transactions involving two major groups: bTV Media Group, owned by PPF's Telenor, and Nova Broadcasting Group, part of United Group's Vivacom. Shortly after, United Group replaced the leadership of Nova Broadcasting, with security officers reportedly escorting out key executives. Similarly, bTV's editor-in-chief was replaced immediately. The acquisition of satellite TV and internet provider Bulsatcom by United Group sparked protests from staff, warning of negative impacts on employees, consumers, and market competition. The Media Freedom Rapid Response mechanism (MFRR) issued an alert about these developments as a form of editorial interference.
Political tensions followed the CPC’s decision. Kiril Petkov, leader of the We Continue the Change (PP) party, criticised the deal, calling the decision rushed and dangerous. United Group denied these accusations, asserting CPC’s independence and accusing Petkov of pressuring the regulator. Petkov also proposed a controversial 50-50 management split of regulatory bodies with coalition partner Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) to ensure impartiality, though critics argued the arrangement would likely fail to guarantee true independence. The consolidation, which gives United Group over 60% of the telecommunications and TV market, has raised concerns about the erosion of media pluralism in Bulgaria amid growing fears of political influence over regulators.
Bulgarian Officials Attack Investigative Outlet BIRD Over Exposés
As reported by the MFRR, in late January and early February 2024, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev and Kiril Petkov, leader of the We Continue the Change (PP) party, which is part of the governing coalition, publicly discredited investigative media outlet BIRD.BG. The outlet had recently uncovered suspicious real estate transactions and alleged lobbying benefiting state-regulated businesses.
While appearing on a talk show, Vassilev threatened to sue BIRD’s Editor-in-Chief, Atanas Tchobanov, after a report exposed his ties to an offshore company, based on official Bulgarian and British Virgin Islands registries. Petkov labelled BIRD as “fake news” on Facebook, reacting to an error—since corrected—regarding a property transaction involving his father. Further revelations by BIRD showed that Vassilev’s former company sold a house to the owner of a toll tax firm, which had opposed a Finance Ministry bill that was later withdrawn. The Sofia prosecution office and Anticorruption Commission have since opened investigations into the matter.
BIRD, part of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), has a strong record of exposing undeclared wealth and conflicts of interest, contributing to major investigations like the Pandora Papers. Their reports on real estate deals involving politicians from multiple parties have sparked backlash, with figures from other political factions also attacking the outlet.