Protests led by supporters of the ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane (Revival) party in Bulgaria resulted in clashes with the police on Thursday. The demonstrators expressed their discontent with the policies of the pro-Western government, demanding its resignation and the closure of NATO military bases.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the parliament building, denouncing Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. They waved both Bulgarian and Russian national flags, blew whistles, and called for an early election. Bulgaria has already witnessed five elections in the past two years.
Chants of “Resignation” filled the air as riot police were deployed to safeguard government buildings, including the defense ministry, where some protesters threw eggs.
Bulgaria recently lifted its ban on Ukrainian grain exports.
Neli Tyulekova, a 60-year-old businesswoman among the demonstrators, stated, “Bulgarians do not want to participate in the war between Russia and Ukraine; we want to be a neutral country.” She expressed opposition to Bulgaria sending arms to Ukraine, believing it would exacerbate the conflict.
Some protesters held placards reading “American bases out! Bulgaria is a zone of peace,” referencing the establishment of a new military base in this NATO member.
Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the Revival party, addressed the crowd, saying, “The last instruction that came from the masters of Bulgaria, from the U.S., is for Bulgaria to make a new military base. NATO Out!”
The demonstration concluded in front of a Soviet army monument, where clashes with the police occurred as they tried to prevent protesters from approaching the monument, which had been scaffolded for security reasons. The government has decided to remove the monument.
Neli Balabanska, a 51-year-old electric engineer, expressed hope that the protests would lead to the government’s resignation.
Additionally, on Thursday, Bulgaria expelled one Russian and two Belarusian nationals, barring them from entering the country for the next five years, as ordered by the State Agency for National Security (SANS), according to local media reports.
