San Francisco Frontiers - Bulgarian spirits inflamed by new rakia rules

The finance minister held a news conference in a bid to allay fears over the new rules, which threaten a 1,000-euro ($1,140) fine for anyone giving homemade rakia to people outside their family, such as to friends or neighbours.

Under the proposed new guidelines, rakia produced in small registered distilleries can only be held by its declared producer or members of their family.

Memes have circulated on social media showing Finance Minister Galab Donev as an inspector watching people to check whether they are drinking homemade rakia.

But the minister insisted to journalists that the aim was not to control private consumption, but to combat the illegal trade in alcohol.

Around half of the rakia produced in Bulgaria comes from small distilleries intended for private individuals, he said, and much of it ultimately ends up being sold.

Donev said that while giving a bottle to a neighbour would be illegal, “no one will come to your home to check whether your neighbour gave you one for your birthday".

A former parliamentary speaker, Natalia Kisselova, who is a professor of constitutional law, wryly advised hiding rakia in jars or sparkling wine bottles.

Variants of rakia, a potent brew distilled from fruit such as grapes or plums, are popular across the Balkans, and making one's own is a longstanding and tradition, cherished by many.

An EU-imposed duty on homemade rakia drew more than 2,500 protesters into the streets of Sofia in 2007 to denounce an "attack on national tradition".

At least two parliamentary groups have already announced counterproposals to soften the text. The ministry has promised to clarify its provisions.

O.Green--SFF