Spendthrift Bulgarian independence celebrations?

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Bulgaria's independence [from the Ottoman Empire]. The weekly newspaper Kapital writes that much of the money slated for the ostentatious ceremonies and events may well flow into election campaigns: "Although Independence Day is on September 22, the celebrations will only end on May 6 [Army Day in Bulgaria] next year, with a parade costing 200,000 euros. So the celebrations will last a whole nine months and cost over 5 million euros. ... The whole lavish extravaganza will end with a canonade and fireworks just before the official start of the election campaigns for the European and the Bulgarian parliaments. It is only to be expected that those in office will have cut costs here and there. A whole series of celebrations in the European Parliament and in the European Commission will coincide with the second year of Bulgaria's membership in the EU. It remains to be seen what is really going to be celebrated - frozen EU accession programme funds or possible sanctions for the rubbish problem and the emergency telephone number 112."

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