These are some of the top stories in Bulgarian newspapers on October 15 2008. The Sofia Echo has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy.
Politics
- Sega daily reports on new developments in the story of how the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party has been financing its elections campaigns. One of the alleged schemes to avoid companies being registered as donors was the companies' workers were getting paid 10 000 leva in bonuses which they later donated to the BSP as individuals.
- Most dailies reports about Justice Minister Meglena Tacheva's decision to dismiss Emil Stankov, who was the head of the Registry Agency. The agency was supposed to launch the new commercial register months ago but so far has failed to do it.
Economy
Dnevnik daily leads with a story about major retail chains reviewing their plans for expanding in 2009 in light of the financial crisis and the consequences it would have on Bulgarian consumers. According to the paper more and more companies are putting their investment plans on hold. The first effects of the crisis on Bulgarian consumers would be felt in November, when Christmas shopping will be subdued compared to previous years, Dnevnik said.
- 24 Chassa reports about raised interest rates on leasing schemes for purchasing new motor vehicles in Bulgaria. Leasing companies started asking for a 15 per cent down payment, the paper says.
- Sega daily reports about the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission's October 14 decision to ban the quarterly billing of electricity use. The decision refers to the three companies running power distribution firms in Bulgaria - Czech CEZ, German E.ON and Austrian EVN.
Social
- Trud daily leads with a story that using air conditioners instead of central heating might prove to be cheaper during the winter season.
- Dailies report about former interior minister Roumen Petkov filing a claim in Sofia Regional Court against German author Jurgen Roth suing him for slander. In his book The New Demons, Roth linked Petkov to a number of criminal activities in Bulgaria, such as amphetamine trade.
