Wiretaps deepen customs probe, Ministry reshuffles
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New details have emerged from wiretaps in the case against the former head of customs, with reports suggesting 'Fuklyoto' wrote to Petya, further deepening corruption investigations. This comes as the Democratic Bulgaria political party is also querying authorities regarding information concerning Boyko Borissov and Vasil Bozhkov. Additionally, Bulgaria has reportedly been implicated in a large-scale customs fraud scheme involving approximately 1000 vehicles for Cyprus.
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has initiated unexpected personnel changes within the Ministry of Interior, including replacing regional directorate heads in Stara Zagora and Vidin. Demerdzhiev has also publicly stated a lack of confidence in the Prosecutor's Office, criticizing a perceived 'double standard' and urging action in cases involving magistrates.
On the economic front, Bulgaria's budget deficit has decreased to 1.7% as of July, primarily due to a payment received under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The market for new vehicles is also showing strong performance, on track for a record year with a 7% increase in sales. Meanwhile, a court has decided to leave the fate of the Plovdiv Fair in the hands of the Minister of Finance due to a procedural error.