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Bezlov, Tihomir
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3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Bulgaria's smokers save state budget
Plans by the EU Commission foresee a gradual rise in the minimum tax on tobacco until 2014, when it will comprise 63 percent of the sales price. If this were to drive many Bulgarians to quit smoking it would be good for their health but disastrous for Bulgaria's budget, writes the paper 24 Chasa: "In the past ten years tobacco tax together with the accompanying sales tax have swelled to make up a considerable portion of the state budget. The trends show a strong growth from 5.7 to 12 percent of the budget. For many years politicians have seen these growing revenues as a handy source for filling gaps in the budget - one which was also easy to justify: That's what the EU wants. But what will happen if these revenues suddenly plummeted? If Bulgarian smokers decided to cut down or - God forbid - quit smoking altogether?"
» full article (external link, Bulgarian)
More from the press review on the subject » Health Policy, » Consumers, » Economy, » Bulgaria
Bulgaria's politicians protect smugglers
An unsuccessful attempt on the part of a former Bulgarian politician to prevent the broadcast of a television report on corrupt customs officials has brought to light once again the dimensions of organised smuggling in Bulgaria, which lies on the border of the EU. Criminologist Tihomir Bezlov calls in the daily 24 Chasa for pressure to be stepped up on the politicians pulling the strings: "A system of relationships exists that allows the risk to be distributed among several levels and guarantees mutual support. ... The schema of political protection has functioned unchanged for 20 years. Local politicians oversee the appointment of police officers, customs and tax officials. As soon as they have a problem it is reported to the party headquarters on the grounds that criminal proceedings would constitute an attack on the politician's reputation. For this reason it is not enough to put pressure on the organisational structures. The whole system of political protection must be restricted."
» full article (external link, Bulgarian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU neighbourhood policy, » Bulgaria
Bulgarian politicians fear top agent
The arrest of former secret service agent Alexei Petrov has caused a huge stir in Bulgaria. The former advisor to the State Agency for National Security (DANS) is accused of having ties to kidnapper bands. The daily Standart is struck by how politicians have been mincing their words in their statements on his arrest. "Fear is clearly widespread among the founders and key figures in DANS. Alexei Petrov's development brought him increasing influence as the years passed. In the past people always spoke about Petrov and the underworld with a sense of fear, because he was extremely well connected. Now however it must be asked why politicians are still afraid to talk about him. Because they're on close personal terms or because of the goods he has on them?"
» full article (external link, Bulgarian)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Bulgaria
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