site.btaPM: "Fists Cannot Be Argument in Politics, Much Less Art"

"Fists cannot be an argument in politics, much less in art: they're only allowed in boxing," said Friday Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev commenting the protest escalating outside the National Theatre in central Sofia on Thursday. The Prime Minister has assigned the Interior Ministry to prepare a report on the measures taken in this situation. 

On Thursday, protestors tried to stop a National Theatre premiere of the George Bernard Shaw play Arms and the Man, which they believe to humiliate Bulgaria. The action in the play takes place in Bulgaria, following the 1885 Battle of Slivnitsa during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.

"I will ask for a detailed description of the event, of who and how handled their duties and their powers, especially the top brass," Glavchev said.

The Prime Minister said that the audience cannot be prevented from attending a play for which they have purchased tickets. "And it's not only about that: the rights of Bulgarian citizens cannot be infringed," he added.

Asked by journalists about political instability in the country, Glavchev agreed that it is having a big impact on Bulgarian society. "I called for humility among politicians and de-escalation of tensions, I urged them to sit down and to find the way to form a government," he said.

Glavchev also focused on the discussions within the informal European Council meeting in Budapest. According to him, the United States is the EU's most important strategic partner and it is important to take proactive steps to continue building on this relationship. Glavchev specifically highlighted the topics of Ukraine and the Middle East. "The most natural aspiration is to have peace, but a just peace, based on the UN Charter and international law," he said. The Prime Minister also pointed to the economy, high tech, security and defence, and the fight against disinformation as important areas for EU-US cooperation.

Asked about Bulgaria's bid to join Schengen by land, Glavchev said that there were "many good signs" on the issue, but comments should not be hasty. Whatever is published about Romania’s process of accession can be applied to Bulgaria as well, he said.