Bulgarian Socialist Daily Sacks Editor-in-Chief

Ivelin Nikolov, now former editor-in-chief of the Bulgarian opposition Duma (Word) daily. Photo by gabrovonews.com

The contract of the editor-in-chief of the Bulgarian opposition Duma (Word) daily, Ivelin Nikolov, has been terminated.

The publisher of the newspaper of the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Nikolay Malinov, cites as motive for the dismissal the "lack of communication between the two."

According to unconfirmed reports, Malinov will now become editor-in-chief as well.

As a member of the BSP Executive Bureau, Malinov is a staunch supporter of BSP leader and former Prime Minister, Sergey Stanishev, while the BSP Member of the Parliament, Ivelin Nikolov, is considered to be close to outgoing President, Georgi Parvanov. The move comes amidst wide-spread reports that after finishing his term in office, Parvanov, a former BSP leader, will attempt to oust Stanishev and take over the party once again.

About a year ago, Nikolov is said to have joined the President's camp, and has a long-running conflict with Malinov.

In April, Duma published an unsigned article in support of Parvanov and his political future and rumors persist Nikolov authored it. He was even banned from entering the Duma office in the last months.

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