Socialist Ivo Atanasov Joins Bulgarian Media Watchdog

The Members of the Bulgarian Parliament predictably elected Wednesday Ivo Atanasov as member of the Council for Electronic Media, SEM.

There was one other nominee – Radomir Cholakov, legal counsel of Newspaper Group Bulgaria.

Both were nominated by the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP.

102 out of 106 Members of the Parliament present in plenary hall voted for Atanasov.

He was nominated by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, BSP MP, Maya Manolova.

Cholakov's candidature was introduced by BSP MP, Petar Korumbashev, who stated he knew it was doomed as there was a political decision to vote for Atanasov. This prompted another BSP MP, Anton Kutev, to firmly deny the allegation.

Manolova said she nominated Atanasov because she was convinced of his integrity and competence.

Atanasov is a former BSP MP and a former Chairman of the Parliamentary Media Committee.

The election already prompted criticism for the Socialists as they are suspected in rushing to elect their SEM member on time for the finals of the job competition for a new director of the public television.

The name of the new head of the State-owned Bulgarian National Television, BNT, is to be announced July 26.

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