Issue 22

Well, some cats wear flea collars and some dogs have been neutered. But these are the exceptions, not the rule. All my neighbours who have a soft spot for the dozens of stray dogs and cats in the neighbourhood seem to think giving them pills or taking them to the vet to neuter them or even cleaning after them is too much. They love and take care of the animals but would not go that far in their affection. It makes me think Bulgarians believe in everyone doing their job, meaning they never do anything which in their opinion is not their job. The same thing goes for dog poo.

Pramod Mittal, however, will have a three-metre, or 10 ft, high statue in Sofia – having done plenty to not deserve such a memorial. Just ask Kremikovtsi workers, for example. When he bought the factory in 2006, Mittal promised to make significant investments that would bring the plant in line with EU environmental standards. Somehow they never materialised. Kremikovtsi is now facing closure. Oh, and the workers didn't receive their salaries on time.

Society might be shocked if it found out how much money goes toward surveillance.

Interior Minister Mihail Mikov

President Georgi Parvanov grew up like I did – simply, on the street. Prime Minister Stanishev went to school in a Mercedes without license plates.

Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov explains to Politique internationale why he criticises all Bulgarian politicians except the president

I am a person who always tells the truth.