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

Dispute in the parliament in Sofia over whether an MEP betrays Bulgarian interests

Toshko Yordanov, MP from ITN
Photo: BGNES

The actions of Bulgaria's MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, elected from the quota of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), who should represent Bulgaria in the European Parliament, are national betrayal, said MP Toshko Yordanov from "There is such a people" (ITN) in a statement from the rostrum of the Bulgarian Parliament. According to Yordanov, Kyuchyuk, who is the rapporteur in the European Parliament for North Macedonia, removed from the draft report on the country's progress towards the EU amendment 18, which includes all bilateral issues between Skopje and Sofia.

"From this rostrum, MPs like Toshko Yordanov speak open lies without referring to facts," answered the leader of MRF Mustafa Karadaya.

Meanwhile, the German Bundestag voted that Skopje should amend the constitution of North Macedonia as agreed with Bulgaria and recognize the Bulgarian minority in order to speed up the country's EU integration. The decision of the ruling coalition in Germany explicitly recognizes the existence of the Macedonian language, culture and identity. 

Bulgaria's MEP Andrey Kovatchev defined the decision of the Bundestag as a strange phenomenon. "I have not heard of another similar phenomenon on our planet, where a country is so insecure about its identity, language and culture that it has to ask another country through a political decision of a legislative body to recognize its language, culture and identity. Our colleagues, neighbours and friends in Skopje should not worry about having a modern identity, language and culture, but I understand that they want to show some historical continuity or historical continuity that is different from the Bulgarian one. This is the basis of our problem, that's where discrimination and hate speech come from, and all the problems we have. These are not bilateral problems, these are problems related to basic human rights and European values," says Kovatchev.



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

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov supports the peace plan for Ukraine

“Borders cannot be changed by force, and Ukraine’s long-term security must be guaranteed”, Bulgaria’s Premier Rossen Zhelyazkov said during a videoconference meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, led by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK..

published on 11/26/25 8:57 AM

Bulgaria and China discuss cooperation in the automotive sector

Business forum on the topic "Bulgaria - China: cooperation in the automotive sector" is being held on November 26 in Sofia. Its organizers are the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Embassy of the People's Republic of..

published on 11/26/25 7:30 AM

Draft budget 2026 sparks protests

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association has called for participation in a protest on November 26 against the budget for 2026, which is about to be adopted at second reading. "We call not only our members, but also all..

published on 11/26/25 6:50 AM