Latest news with #Bulgarians
Euractiv
a day ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Bulgaria claims to have curbed medicine fraud with EU verification system
Bulgaria has completed the full implementation of the European Union's medicines verification system, a milestone aimed at curbing the circulation of falsified pharmaceuticals and mitigating financial fraud. According to an exclusive statement from the Health Ministry to Euractiv, the system, operational across the EU since 2019, is designed to prevent the resale of individual medicine packages - a loophole that had previously contributed to significant financial losses for Bulgaria's National Health Insurance Fund. The Health Ministry told Euractiv that the verification system now covers all actors on the Bulgarian pharmaceutical market, including manufacturers, wholesalers, parallel distributors, and retail pharmacies. "In 2025, the NHIF's information system was also upgraded with a module to monitor the verification codes of medicines dispensed in outpatient care. This control is now applied continuously," the ministry added. Long-running 'con-job' Although the system has been partially operational in Bulgaria since February 2019, only around half of the dispensed medicine packages were being properly "decommissioned" at the end of the supply chain. This allowed the same medicine package to be sold and reimbursed two or even three times, with the state paying the bill. In 2023, the government introduced a full verification system for medicines dispensed in hospitals, which pharmaceutical sector associations say has addressed fraud costing millions of euros. Dimitar Marinov, president of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union, cited the example of a pharmacy in Sofia whose turnover dropped tenfold following the changes. He also mentioned isolated cases of illegal online sales of medicines worth tens of thousands of euros, which were reported to the police. Deyan Denev, executive director of the Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM), noted that some fraud schemes were uncovered when pharmaceutical companies noticed discrepancies between the number of medicine packages delivered to the Bulgarian market and the quantities reimbursed by the NHIF. He described a case where the same medicine had been dispensed in different pharmacies and reimbursed twice by the NHIF. An administrative check later revealed that a single pharmacy and wholesaler had created fictitious transactions worth €2 million, buying medicines for €2 million but claiming to have sold medicines worth €4 million, with no clear source for the surplus. Within just two weeks of implementing full verification, the NHIF refused to pay for €150,000 worth of medicines due to irregularities. Ten similar cases were reported in other EU countries, where medicines appeared for sale that should have already been marked as used in Bulgaria. Each month, 1.6 million Bulgarians receive medicines from the NHIF, with annual reimbursements amounting to nearly €1.5 billion. "We cannot say that most reimbursed medicines were fraudulent. These were isolated incidents, but serious enough to be addressed as they are now, through a preventive system," said Denev from ARPharM. Criminalising medicine fraud Financial abuse in the pharmaceutical sector has led Bulgaria to consider criminalising the illegal trade in medicines, which until now has been punishable only through fines and administrative sanctions. Boryana Marinkova, executive director of the Bulgarian Association for the Development of Parallel Trade in Medicines, told Euractiv that further steps are needed to curb illegal medicine sales. "Illegal trade and smuggling of medicines must be treated as a crime. This includes the entirely illegal online sale of prescription medicines, which poses serious risks to patients," she said, referring to cancer, diabetes and other treatments offered through social media and online platforms. "We believe pharmaceutical crimes should be prosecuted under the Penal Code," Marinkova said, adding that institutions have committed to a legislative initiative in this direction. "I hope criminal sanctions, including prison terms, will be introduced for those committing medicine-related crimes. This would have a strong deterrent effect and benefit society. The most vulnerable people, those with the lowest health literacy, suffer the most from medicine fraud," she concluded. [Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Bulgaria's arrest of liberal, pro-EU mayor sparks protests – DW – 07/26/2025
Thousands of Bulgarians have been protesting what they say is undue political influence on local justice. Many believe the EU is turning a blind eye to corruption in the Balkan country for political reasons. "My main motivation to be here in this square is my desire for justice," Berkay says. The young man was taking part in a protest held last week in Bulgaria's coastal city of Varna, against the arrest of the local mayor. "My conscience and my sense of civic duty wouldn't allow me just to stand here with my arms folded, in the face of the obvious trend towards authoritarianism in our country," he told DW. Along with other protesters, Berkay didn't want to give his full name. The protests started after the July 8 arrest of Varna's mayor Blagomir Kotsev, a member of the reformist We Continue the Change, or PP, political party. He was arrested during a raid by Bulgaria's Commission for Anti-Corruption. Kotsev was accused of running a criminal group that extorted companies that received public contracts. Two municipal council members from Kotsev's own party and a businessman from Varna were named as his accomplices in the alleged scheme. The mayor's arrest also sparked demonstrations in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, as well as in other places, and has become a symbol for the general public's growing concern about how their current government is using the public prosecutor's office as a weapon. "Such measures represent a serious interference with democracy and undermine the credibility of the judiciary," another demonstrator, Konstantin, says when DW meets him outside Varna's city hall. "This is not an isolated incident, it's part of a larger problem in the Bulgarian justice system," he argues. The fact that Bulgaria has some serious problems with its justice system is well known. In the latest report on the state of law in the country the European Commission — the body responsible for the day-to-day running of the European Union — notes that there have been barely any improvements. In fact, the EU report was issued on the same day as Varna's mayor was arrested. "Bulgarian democracy is in danger and all those who care about it must abandon their political party affiliations and oppose attempts to impose autocracy and authoritarianism in the country," Bulgarian political scientist Daniel Smilov, also a specialist in comparative constitutional law, writes. "These terms may sound vague and exaggerated but unfortunately they accurately describe what is happening: Key institutions have been hijacked and power and violence have been used to advance the interests of particular political interests." For a long time, Varna's political scene was dominated by the conservative, right-wing party, GERB, short for Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria. It is also the party of the country's current prime minister Rosen Zhelyazko, as well as long-time Bulgarian leader Boyko Borissov, who previously served three terms as prime minister. Borissov and his allies were regularly accused of corruption and there had already been major protests about this in 2020. Borissov is seen to be close to media tycoon and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who's also the leader of a political party, New Beginning. The protesters believe that even though Peevski is currently officially in opposition, he wields too much power in Bulgarian politics. In fact, Varna's mayor Kotsev first became known on the political scene during those 2020 protests before he won in municipal elections in 2023. The main accusations against Kotsev rely almost exclusively on statements by a Bulgarian businesswoman, Plamenka Dimitrova, the owner of a catering business that has often been contracted to state and public functions. Dimitrova is allegedly close to the GERB party and during Borissov's time in office, her company was awarded contracts worth millions. However the new leadership in Varna decided to work with another service provider, one which would do the job for less money. Dimitrova claims she was asked to hand over 15% of the value of the contract if she wished to keep it. Another witness in the case against Kotsev is the city's former deputy mayor, Dian Ivanov. At first Ivanov seemed to confirm Dimitrova's story but then later he withdrew his comments and said they had been "untruths" made "under pressure" from the anti-corruption commission. Despite this, Ivanov was not questioned again and his later-withdrawn statements led to the July 18 court decision to arrest Kotsev and the others. According to Kotsev's party, PP, and their political allies in Democratic Bulgaria, or DB, another pro-European party, the case against Kotsev is part of a wider campaign against opposition parties like his, that is being led by the country's prosecutor general Borislav Sarafov. He is not independent, they claim, and he serves to protect the conservative movements' political interests. At the end of last month, another PP member, the deputy mayor of Sofia Nikola Barbutov, was also arrested on very similar charges: corruption and membership of an organized crime group. Up until now, there's been very little reaction from the European Commission regarding what's happening in Bulgaria. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a member of the conservative German party, the Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, and the CDU is a member of the same European parliament alliance as Bulgaria's GERB. Many of the demonstrators in Bulgaria argue that is why von der Leyen is staying quiet about what they see as GERB's wrongdoing. "Ursula, do you still support GERB?" is a slogan seen on many of the placards at the demonstrations in Bulgaria. "I hope the EU stops unreservedly giving money to these villains," says Philip, a protester in Sofia. "Boyko's regime is nothing without the money from Europe. Peevski's regime is nothing without the money from Europe." Back in Varna, local demonstrator Berkay predicts a long fight ahead. "I believe we must finally fight these evil models and those who embody them," he said. "One day, when we become parents, we don't want to be ashamed of the situation we're leaving to our children."
DW
5 days ago
- DW
Belgium's Fight Against Cocaine Traffickers – DW – 07/25/2025
Belgium is cocaine hub in Europe. The drug floods the continent via the port of Antwerp. Violence is also escalating in some districts of Brussels. Shootings and drug deals in plain sight are everyday occurrences. Summer, "UFOs" and communism in Bulgaria A concrete UFO will be the backdrop for a music festival in the mountains of Bulgaria. The monument, built to honor the Communist Party, is a reminder of days gone by. But apparently, a third of Bulgarians want to see that era return. Spain: Wealthy tourists discover Mallorca Mallorca – long a favorite for Germans – is becoming a luxury destination for Americans as well. There are four direct flights weekly from New York to Palma. However, the island's ecology cannot sustain so much luxury tourism. Paris: Who wants to swim in the Seine? It's getting hotter and hotter. Climate change is taking its toll on many cities. France's capital, Paris, has responded by opening three swimming areas in the Seine. Swimming in the river is refreshing, but it's not recommended for everyone. DW English WED 30.07.2025 – 23:30 UTC THU 23107.2025 – 05:30 UTC THU 31.07.2025 – 07:30 UTC THU 31.07.2025 – 11:30 UTC THU 31.07.2025 – 14:30 UTC FRI 01.08.2025 – 02:30 UTC FRI 01.08.2025 – 19:02 UTC Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3 Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8 London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3 San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Press shift: how the right-wing media are pivoting to Reform
As the 2015 election hove into view, one of Nigel Farage's team was frustrated. Ukip, the party Farage then led, had only recently caused what was widely regarded as a political earthquake by winning the European parliament elections. The Daily Mail seemed to agree with everything Farage was saying, most notably his condemnation of the number of Romanians and Bulgarians coming to Britain. Why then, Farage's adviser asked a senior Daily Mail journalist, would the paper not endorse Ukip? With a nod to the paper's seemingly unshakeable bond to the Conservative arty, the journalist replied: 'Orders, dear boy, orders.' A decade on, Farage is once again leading in the polls, this time as head of Reform UK. There is no such frustration within his team, however. Recent media coverage has them believing those old bonds tying the traditionally Conservative-supporting press to the Tories are weakening. In the past week, the Mail published a striking front page: 'Britain is facing societal collapse, warns Farage.' It was accompanied by a leading article generally supportive of a speech he had made on crime. The previous day, the paper had run an article by Farage arguing that Britain 'needs Reform'. Meanwhile, a beaming Farage could be spotted on social media holding up a double-page spread from the Sun on Sunday. It showed another of his articles with the headline: 'Lawless Britain'. On Monday, the Telegraph's front page led with the Reform leader's promise to build more prisons. In both Reform and Conservative circles such coverage is being watched closely. All believe it is being driven by Reform's now consistent poll lead. 'Things are progressing quite nicely,' said a senior Reform source. Another said: 'We have demonstrated to editors that we aren't going away.' While this week marked a spate of glowing Reform coverage, a party insider said more important breakthroughs came in the spring. In April, the Sun ran the front page headline 'Britain is broken', Reform's local election slogan. 'That made Westminster sit up and take notice,' the Reform staffer said. In May, Farage's team were delighted when the Mail published his essay setting out the agenda for a future Reform government. The critical moments may have come even earlier, however. Farage's team are said to have held a series of meetings with senior figures from centre-right papers at the turn of the year. The talks were designed as a post-election reset. The Mail titles had backed the Tories and suspicion of them within Reform was significant. 'We've broken bread since then, of course, and things have got a lot better,' said one Reform figure. More recently, Farage attended a summer party held by News UK, owner of the Times, Sunday Times and the Sun. Tim Shipman, the former chief political commentator for the Sunday Times, disclosed this week that Farage had dined with Victoria Newton, the Sun's editor. Others believe that the positive coverage is simply part of a wider radicalisation on the British right, towards harder lines on immigration, culture and crime once seen as well beyond the mainstream. 'What we used to call the Tory press is not the Tory press any more,' said David Yelland, former editor of the Sun. 'They're embarrassed by the Conservative party. The agreed consensus of the Tory press has shifted right.' Some Conservatives fear their party has been complicit in improving Farage's standing with some papers, alleging a lack of activity by the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch. One former Conservative staffer blamed her for putting the party into 'cold storage' after the election, cutting off a brief poll rise it enjoyed last autumn. 'Fundamentally, [media outlets on the right] obviously are going to be anti-Labour,' they said. 'There's so little coming out of the Tories that they just don't really have that much of a choice but to go with Reform stuff. It comes down to effort. They really want it.' Other Conservative critics blame Badenoch's poor relationship with reporters and editors. Some said she has been known to bypass newsrooms altogether and complain to media company executives when she disliked a story. These criticisms are strongly rejected by Badenoch's team, who say the party consistently secures front pages with its media strategy. Yet when it comes to the crunch, could any major newspaper groups back Reform at the next election? Such decisions are taken late in the day by editors and owners, but Conservatives that fear much damage could be done by then. As a member of Rishi Sunak's team pointed out to Telegraph journalists after it endorsed him before last year's election: 'You've been kicking the shit out of us and giving these guys oxygen for the past 18 months. This is all a little bit late in the day.' Yelland warned that papers risk 'boxing themselves in' by fanning Reform's flames now. 'Editors will have to back Farage or be forced to pull off 'a Washington Post' and endorse nobody at all,' he said. One senior Conservative HQ source said a closer look at some of Farage's policies, such as nationalising some of the water industry, should raise obvious questions for the Telegraph and Mail. 'His policies are not conservative,' they said. 'That's tricky for them.' Ultimately, several Reform and Conservative figures said it would come down to whether Reform's poll lead endures. 'I really cannot see anything changing,' said Gawain Towler, Reform's former head of press. 'If that's the case, everybody wants to back a winner. The Tories are not a winner.' For now, senior figures inside the Mail and Telegraph do not believe that the odd glowing front page will translate into election support for Reform. However, Yelland warned that election endorsements were beside the point. 'It's the day-to-day coverage that matters,' he said. 'And there's no doubt that despite the fall in circulation, the Mail in particular influences broadcast media in this country immensely.'
Euronews
16-07-2025
- General
- Euronews
In which EU countries are people most at risk of poverty?
Over one in five people in the European Union was at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, according to the latest Eurostat figures. Despite a slight decrease of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2023, experts claim that this improvement cannot be revered. "We can't celebrate a small decrease of 0.4 percentage points of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion when what we see is more people living on the streets, longer lines for food and growing need for social aid," the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) wrote in a statement. Bulgaria (30.3%), Romania (27.9%), and Greece (26.9%) reported the highest shares of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. France has also registered worrying numbers, with the poverty rate here reaching its highest level since 1996. It rose from 14.4% in 2022 to 15.4% in 2023, according to France's statistics bureau, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). This rise particularly affected single-parent families and children, while pensioners were less affected. At the EU level, more than one in five people living in households with dependent children were at a slightly higher risk of poverty or social exclusion than those without. 30.8% of Bulgarians living in households with dependent children are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This is followed by 30.4% of Romanians and 30.2% of Spanish people. By contrast, the lowest rates were seen in the Netherlands at 13%, in Cyprus at 12.7%, and in Slovenia at 9.8%. Meanwhile, 32.3% of Latvians living in households without dependent children were also at risk. This is followed by 29.9% of Estonians and 29.8% of Bulgarians. In Italy, living conditions vary depending on nationality. In 2023, 30.4% of families with at least one foreign citizen were reported at risk of poverty, while this figure was much lower, at 6.3%, for families composed entirely of Italians. Women, young adults aged between 18 and 24, people with a low level of educational attainment and unemployed people were also, on average, more likely to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024 than other groups within the EU population. For instance, in Cyprus, 18.5% of women were at risk of poverty or social exclusion compared to 15.6% of men. "These figures reflect how systemic inequalities affect people at key life stages: women often carry unpaid care burdens, while young people struggle to access stable jobs and housing," the EAPN stated.
