Bulgaria's Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, had been able to renew his passport without having to wait in line, the Bulgarian daily "Trud" (Labor) writes.

Tsvetanov, who is known as a huge fan of the CSKA football team went to the passport office during the European League game between CSKA's all time rival "Levski" and the Dutch "Gent" in which "Levski" won 3:2.

Tsvetanov is quoted saying the office was deserted because everyone in Sofia had been at the stadium or glued to their TV.

"We did not watch the game, just listened to it on the radio. But this way we saved time and there are no lines," Tsvetanov told a TV reporter while filling his passport application.

On a more serious note, the Minister said that BGN 20 M have been used for consumables and to pay employees who are working overtime in an attempt to resolve the issue with the long lines.

Following its launch on March 29, the new electronic system for issuing personal identity documents, including biometric data passports, was overwhelmed by the number of users online and temporary and sporadic delays in servicing citizens' needs occurred, with the Interior blaming mostly the German Siemens, which manufactured the software.

In an attempt to eliminate the long lines, the Interior decided to keep passport offices open for extended hours and on Saturdays. A new boom is expected for November and December when many Bulgarians will realize their ID documents are expiring.

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