Emil Dimitrov

Today, 194 MPs attended the last session of the 44th National Assembly. Ministers were not present. A short time later, the Lawmakers were joined by Minister of Environment Emil Dimitrov-Revisoro. The floor leader of GERB Daniela Daritkova acknowledged that this term of office was not easy. She pointed to the pandemic that marked the work of the parliament.

A protest entitled "Hands off Bulgarian nature" has gathered dozens of environmentalists in front of the Council of Ministers in the capital Sofia. The specific reason for the public dissatisfaction is the lifting of the ban on construction in the Kamchia protected area on the Black Sea coast.

The situation in the country is getting back to normal, the difficulties caused by the severe weather conditions are constantly monitored, the levels of the dams are monitored and, where necessary, water is discharged under strict expert control. All relevant institutions are working in full co-ordination with each other and are on standby to respond, including to citizens' alerts.

Minister of Environment Emil Dimitrov came to the Parliament surprisingly to warn lawmakers about the poor condition of the dams in Bulgaria. He stated that Burgas is facing a serious water crisis, which in 6 months will be a fact and in the coastal city and the situation will be similar to that in Pernik, the town facing persistent water-supply crisis.

This was announced by the Minister of Ecology Emil Dimitrov, who was present at the first dig of a building for half a million BGN on the territory of Rila National Park, which will be a base of rescuers and an information center. Control over whether jeeps continue to drive in the mountains will be carried out by the employees of Rila Park, as well as from RIEW-Sofia.

The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court has suspended the implementation of Pirin National Park's new management plan, which would have allowed construction in 66 per cent of the park's territory and logging in 48 per cent, said campaign group WWF-Bulgaria. 

The Prosecutor's Office ordered the Minister of Ecology to immediately check whether there is illegal burning of waste in the Thermal Power Plants Bobov Dol, Brickel, Sliven and Pernik, which are linked to businessman Hristo Kovachki.

Following the arrest of the previous Ecology Minister, Neno Dimov - and amid growing turmoil over alarming levels of pollution - Bulgaria on Wednesday appointed a new Ecology and Water Minister despite what critics say is his questionable reputation.

Emil Dimitrov is the new Ecology Minister. This happened after the National Assembly has accepted the resignation of Neno Dimov with 111 votes in favour, 96 against and no abstentions. 

Today, the name of the new minister who will take over the Ministry of Environment and Water will become clear. The decision for the new minister is expected to be taken at a meeting of the Coalition Council between GERB and the United Patriots.