Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian politicians strongly condemn act of vandalism in Bitola

Photo: Ivan Mihaylov Culture Center in Bitola

The arson in Bitola has provoked a sharp reaction from "There is Such a People", who described the incident as "a deliberate act of vandalism that distances North Macedonia from the EU". Atanas Mihnev, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in parliament and MP of “We Continue the Change", called on the competent authorities to identify the perpetrators as soon as possible and expressed hope that this would not affect bilateral relations with North Macedonia. According to BSP MP Ivan Chenchev, such acts were intended to create hate between the two countries - something no one needs. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva of GERB defined the arson as a criminal act of vandalism, which is not an isolated case but a clear example that hatred and discrimination were part of state policy in the Republic of North Macedonia. The co-chairman of "Democratic Bulgaria" Hristo Ivanov pointed out that this was a provocation and a test for the official institutions in North Macedonia and the political class. Vazrazhdane and VMRO also condemned the act of vandalism.

Earlier today, Vice President Iliana Yotova also called on the institutions in North Macedonia to do their job, while the first diplomat Teodora Genchovska left for Bitola to talk on the spot with representatives of the association, after which she will continue her working visit at the invitation of her counterpart Bujar Osmani.

The President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski condemned the arson attack against the building of the cultural center of the Bulgarian community in Bitola and called on the competent institutions to conduct a swift and thorough investigation.

The prosecutor's office in Bitola has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Parliamentary groups comment on the country's accession to the Eurozone

Full EU membership is neither the end of the story nor a solution to all problems. Realism and accurate self-assessment must guide important decisions, said MP Toma Bikov on behalf of the GERB-SDS parliamentary group after Bulgaria's accession to the..

published on 7/9/25 11:28 AM

The Ministry of Finance has launched an online calculator for the lev-euro exchange rate

An online currency converter is now available on the official website for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria: evroto.bg. Following the official announcement of the exchange rate of 1.95583 leva to one euro, the calculator has been made easily..

published on 7/9/25 11:08 AM

ECOFIN allows Bulgaria and 14 other EU states to exceed the deficit limit for defence spending

The EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) has allowed Bulgaria and 14 other EU countries to exceed their budget limits in order to boost defence spending . This will enable the countries to take on additional debt for defence purposes...

published on 7/9/25 9:44 AM