site.btaBulgarians Rally in Brussels, Demand EU Support over Political Situation in Bulgaria

Bulgarians organized by the Velichie party are protesting near the headquarters of EU institutions in Brussels on Friday, calling for support in light of the political situation in Bulgaria. The demonstration is held under the slogan: "Let’s Tell Europe about Bulgarian Mafia".

The organizers said they wanted to express their strong disagreement with the violation of democracy and human rights in Bulgaria, as well as with the fraud that allegedly took place during the snap parliamentary elections on October 27. Later Friday, the protesters are planning to meet with representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, and the European People's Party.

Velichie leader Ivelin Mihaylov said at a press conference that there is growing tension in Europe due to the conflict in Ukraine, and that Bulgaria is being pushed towards Russia's sphere of influence. He emphasized that it is important for Bulgaria to represent the EU and for people to defend European values. “What is happening in Bulgaria goes against European values and is making people more sceptical of Europe. People in the EU are misled by mafia politicians in Bulgaria,” Mihaylov stated.

According to the leader of Velichie, trust among Bulgarians in the EU is decreasing not because of Russia or the EU but because of the "mafia politicians." He warned that elections in Bulgaria are not “free” and that the people of Bulgaria cannot be sure that what they make would not be stolen. “In Bulgaria, corruption and the mafia have merged at the highest levels, and their faces are [Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning leader] Delyan Peevski and, to some extent, [GERB leader] Boyko Borissov,” Mihaylov said.

"We have come to alert the European institutions. We are here to ask for help in solving this problem," the leader of Velichie reported.