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

Bulgaria calls for the construction of a bridge over the Danube at Silistra–Călărași

''Only two bridges connect Bulgaria and Romania along our 475-kilometer shared river border – this is a transport shortfall and a new 'Iron Curtain' within the European Union'', said Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and..

published on 10/17/25 9:05 AM

Cloudy weather, rainfall expected in Bulgaria on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 11°C, in Sofia – 7°C.  During the day, it will be cloudy over most of the country. In the afternoon, rain will begin in Western Bulgaria, in the mountains above 2,000 meters - snow, and..

published on 10/16/25 7:25 PM

South Africa introduces visa-free regime for Bulgarians for stays of up to 90 days

The government of South Africa is introducing a visa-free regime for Bulgarian citizens holding ordinary passports for stays of up to 90 days , the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria announced on its Facebook page. “We express our gratitude to the..

published on 10/16/25 4:16 PM