Andon Baltakov is the new Head of the Bulgarian National Radio

Bulgaria’s Council of Electronic Media (SEM) on January 22 elected Andon Baltakov as the new Director General of the public broadcaster Bulgarian National Radio. Four members of the media regulator voted in favour and one abstained.

In the first-round vote, none of the six candidates got the minimum three out of five votes to be elected. Baltakov was elected with four votes at the second round, after Ivelina Dimitrova and Sofia Vladimirova changed their vote.

The times are complex. The situation is complex. At this time and in view of the forthcoming amendments to the Law on Radio and Television, the BNR should have a representative. I will make a compromise and support Andon Baltakov's candidacy, said Ivelina Dimitrova.

According to Sofia Vladimirova, stability is needed in the radio. She pointed out that the BNR proved that there was no fear there. She expressed hope that the best choice was made.

The January election comes after CEM’s decision in October 2019 to remove Svetoslav Kostov from the post, Kostov was dismissed in connection with an incident in which Horizont programme of the BNR went off air for 5 hours on the morning of September 13.