How many Times were Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Bulgaria Severed
If we look at history, there are not many cases in which relations between Bulgaria and Russia at the state level were as bad as they are at the moment.
The Dark Side
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Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
By Petya Sabinova
Over the past days some Bulgarians were shocked to find that the head of the commission created to hunt down people who lived beyond their means and laundered money or hid taxes had been appointed at a BGN 7,000 salary. Now that's more than the President, Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker would earn if they pooled their salaries. The man's explanation - he had to receive a lot of money from the state, otherwise he'd be susceptible to corruption. It may not be morally right, those in power admitted half-heartedly, but at least it's not illegal.
Now that's a relief! It would have been quite a Filchev-sized embarrassment if the dude turned out to be at odds with the law on top of everything. But maybe US Ambassador John Beyrle's right - Bulgaria's biggest problem is the mentality of the people who tolerate corruption and crime. Not only that, we all help them blossom every time we slip a little something to get out of a speeding ticket, turn our back on a blatant disregard of the law, or fail to get angry at a state official who gets a salary that would cover about 70 pensions.
In the meantime 50,000 people in the country have no place to live and wouldn't be exercising their right to vote because they have no address. But it's all fine, because that cosmic salary was only temporary, and Stoyan Kushlev is now getting just BGN 1,790. Gee, I really hope he doesn't go Darth Vader on us and turn to the dark side now that he is so crudely underpaid...
Over the past days some Bulgarians were shocked to find that the head of the commission created to hunt down people who lived beyond their means and laundered money or hid taxes had been appointed at a BGN 7,000 salary. Now that's more than the President, Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker would earn if they pooled their salaries. The man's explanation - he had to receive a lot of money from the state, otherwise he'd be susceptible to corruption. It may not be morally right, those in power admitted half-heartedly, but at least it's not illegal.
Now that's a relief! It would have been quite a Filchev-sized embarrassment if the dude turned out to be at odds with the law on top of everything. But maybe US Ambassador John Beyrle's right - Bulgaria's biggest problem is the mentality of the people who tolerate corruption and crime. Not only that, we all help them blossom every time we slip a little something to get out of a speeding ticket, turn our back on a blatant disregard of the law, or fail to get angry at a state official who gets a salary that would cover about 70 pensions.
In the meantime 50,000 people in the country have no place to live and wouldn't be exercising their right to vote because they have no address. But it's all fine, because that cosmic salary was only temporary, and Stoyan Kushlev is now getting just BGN 1,790. Gee, I really hope he doesn't go Darth Vader on us and turn to the dark side now that he is so crudely underpaid...
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