Traycho Traykov Explained

Traycho Traykov
Native Name Lang:bg
Office1:Mayor of Sredets
Term Start1:12 November 2019
Predecessor1:Mariya Achkova
Office2:Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism
Primeminister2:Boyko Borisov
Term Start2:27 July 2009
Term End2:21 March 2012
Predecessor2:Rumen Ovcharov
Successor2:Delyan Dobrev
Birth Date:19 April 1970
Birth Place:Sofia, Bulgaria
Education:First English Language School
Alma Mater:University of National and World Economy
Party:Democratic Bulgaria
Otherparty:Independent (until 2017)

Traycho Dimitrov Traykov (Bulgarian: Трайчо Димитров Трайков) is a Bulgarian politician. He was a Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Energy from 2009 to 2012. In February 2012 he launched an examination of dams in the south of the country after malfunction complaints.[1] In March 2012 it was reported that he had been dismissed from his position allegedly for delaying work on energy projects; Bulgarian-language daily Bulgaria Dnes alleges that it was due to Belene Nuclear Power Plant specifically, a project which was terminated that month.[2] [3] Traykov himself "attributed the dismissal to his firm position in negotiations with Russia and his demands that Russia should cut the construction cost of the Belene plant, reduce gas prices by as much as 15 percent in a new supply contract and increase returns from the South Stream pipeline above 8 percent."[2] He was succeeded by his former deputy, Delyan Dobrev.

Minister of Economy

Traicho Traykov was Minister of Economy in the first Boyko Borisov government. He was part of the Reformist Bloc, together with Deputy Prime Minister Simeon Djankov, Minister for Infrastructure Rosen Plevneliev and the Minister of Environment Nona Karadzhova.

Presidential Candidate

On 1 September 2016, the Reformist Bloc announced that Traycho Traykov would run in the 2016 Bulgarian presidential election. His running mate was General Sabi Sabev.[4] During the whole election campaign, Traykov was targeted by media owned by Delyan Peevski who later got sanctioned under the US Magnitsky Act.[5] Social activists were worried that the main purpose of the black PR campaign was to neutralize Traykov who appealed to progressive voters.[6] Traykov eventually came in sixth in the presidential race with 5.87% of the votes.[7] [8] He received strong support from Bulgarians living in Germany.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bulgarian EconMin Begins Checks of Dangerous Dams. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153528/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-279749930.html. dead. 24 September 2015. Sofia News Agency via HighBeam Research. 11 February 2012. 11 September 2012.
  2. Bulgarian Premier Names Dobrev as Economy, Energy Minister. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203135225/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-16/bulgaria-premier-appoints-dobrev-as-economy-energy-minister. dead. December 3, 2013. Businessweek.com. 16 March 2012. 11 September 2012.
  3. News: Bulgaria's blame game over energy policy, Qatar forum fiasco. Sofia Echo. 19 March 2012. 11 September 2012.
  4. Web site: Bulgaria’s Reformist Bloc leaders propose Traicho Traikov as presidential candidate. The Sofia Globe.
  5. Web site: cross.bg . Новини Cross.bg . 2023-12-19 . www.cross.bg . bg.
  6. Web site: Илиян Василев: Пеевските медии ще блокират обвинения Трайков за изборите. frognews.bg. 2 January 2017. 28 November 2017.
  7. Web site: Какво се случи на първи тур на изборите. webcafe.bg. 7 November 2016. 29 November 2017.
  8. Web site: Резултати за президент и вицепрезидент на републиката. Централна избирателна комисия (ЦИК). 9 November 2016. 29 November 2017.
  9. Web site: Картата на България е червена, Цачева е първа при вота в чужбина (Обзор). btvnovinite.bg. 8 November 2016. 29 November 2017.