Government, Parliament Vow to Kill Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

PM Boyko Borisov and speaker of Parliament Tsetska Tsacheva unanimously announced Monday intentions to demolish the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the oldest and most prestigious research institution in the country.
Speaking in an interview for nationally-aired bTV channel, PM Borisov stated that the institutes of the Academy will be transfered under the control of the state or universities, depending on their nature.
Parliament chair Tsacheva made precisely the same announcement just minutes later, speaking at Sofia University at a round table on the problems with financing state education in Bulgaria amidst drastic cuts and a stated unwillingness on the part of the state to commit.
According to Borisov's and Tsacheva's words, the "institutes with national significance" and those "working for the state" will move under the authority of the central government, while the rest will be incorporated in universities.
This in effect means the liquidation of BAS as an entity.
It is also the revival of a project announced this spring by Minister of Education Sergei Ignatov, which would see the central BAS administration abolished and institutes transfered under the authority of the Ministry of Education.
Any such changes will require the amendment of the acting Law on the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The intention voiced last spring was scrapped after massive protests on the part of BAS late May.
Over the past weeks, BAS researchers, as well as university students and professors, have come out on fresh rallies to protest the underfunding of education and research in Bulgaria.
On November 3, BAS threatened to dissolve itself should it not receive adequate funds for its activities, as well as to inform relevant international institutions of the state it has been reduced to by the Bulgarian government.
Asked about that matter Monday, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov said: "Well, let them dissolve themselves! I'm sick of listening to threats coming from all quarters!"
He has now, at least in words, relinquished his May vow not to dismantle the Academy, and pressed on to a reciprocating blackmailing campaign coordinated with Parliamentary speaker Tsacheva.
On his part, Minister of Education Sergei Ignatov, with the firm backing of Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov - a self-professed loather of BAS - have launched a peculiar campaign of refashioning Bulgarian research and education and introducing into it a "market principle."
Over this year, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has staged a massive internal reform aimed at optimizing its structures and self-limiting already scarce spending. A number of institutes were merged and administration was drastically cut.
Still, funds allotted by the state have been insufficient, with researchers even regularly forced to take unpaid leaves.

Bulgaria Moves to Ban Mobile Phones in Schools and Overhaul Education System
The Bulgarian government has approved sweeping amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act

Nursing and Midwifery Studies to Become Free in Bulgaria
The government has approved changes to the regulations on university admissions, declaring the “nurse” and “midwife” programs as protected specialties

Dozens of Bulgarian Schools Linked to Pro-Russian Influence
Dozens of schools across Bulgaria have had ties to pro-Russian organizations or have taken part in initiatives supported by Russian institutions

Sofia Kindergartens to Stay Open This Summer: New Programs Support Families and Teachers
This summer marks a shift in how Sofia approaches care for its youngest citizens

Bulgarian Writer and Teacher: One Hour of 'Virtues and Religion' Won’t Disrupt the Curriculum
Pampov also shared his perspective on the potential introduction of a weekly class on virtues and religion in the Bulgarian school curriculum

Sofia Municipality Arranges Free Transport for Matriculation Exams on May 21 and 23
Sofia Municipality is implementing a transportation plan for high school graduates and exam supervisors (quæstors) during the state matriculation exams on May 21 and 23, 2025