site.btaUPDATED Reactions to Vazrazhdane's Protest

GERB condemned Saturday's actions of the Vazrazhdane party in a statement released to the media.

“We consider absolutely unacceptable the attack on the building and setting fire to the door of the European Commission office in Sofia! We are witnessing a systematic abuse of office by a group of MPs and their supporters against independent State and European institutions, which poses a serious threat to the stability and authority of the State […] The constitutional right to express one's will or opinion through protest is not grounds for abuse or infringement of other constitutionally established rights, such as order and security, which affect the greater public interest. Citizens have the right to protest, but it must be peaceful, otherwise it devolves into vandalism and anarchy,” the statement says.

“We condemn the political aggression and rhetoric that is replacing the political debate and misleading public opinion on Bulgaria's membership of the Eurozone. Such actions undermine the prestige of independent State institutions and international organizations, as well as the credibility of the National Assembly […] We call on the law enforcement authorities to take timely action within their powers to preserve the rule of law in the Republic of Bulgaria,” GERB’s position reads.

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“The uncivilized protest of Vazrazhdane against the adoption of the euro and their vandal actions are another clear signal that it is extremely important to join the euro area. Ever since we joined the EU, the UDF has been saying that Bulgaria’s full integration will only be complete when the euro changeover is a fact,” UDF leader Rumen Hristov wrote on Facebook.

“The Kremlin cells in Bulgaria are doing everything in their power to divert us from the clear civilizational choice our society made back in 1997 when it gave the UDF a full majority and support for the NATO and EU causes. It is obvious that the resistance against Bulgaria being a full European state is fierce. Russia's proxies spare no expense on hybrid attacks and deceptions to frighten the people and convince them that the euro will impoverish them and make everything more expensive,” the post says.

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Co-chair of Continue the Change Kiril Petkov posted a reaction on Facebook. “I strongly condemn the vandalism of the European Commission building in Sofia by Vazrazhdane and their supporters. The Russian wind has fueled the most extreme layers of our population, led by people who sell them false theses that the euro is a threat. The currency board means that for every lev there must be a euro collateral... but who thinks about these things," writes Kiril Petkov. "Corruption is not to blame for Bulgaria's poverty, lack of justice is not the problem, thugs who are even now trying to take over regulators and justice institutions are not the problem. The euro is the problem […] Misled by political hacks who exploit their common frustrations, these confused and angry people are turning against the only reassuring thing at the moment - that we are part of Europe," the post adds.

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“With deep indignation we condemn the vandal actions committed by representatives and sympathizers of the Vazrazhdane party in Sofia,” Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF) wrote in its official Facebook page. “A democratic society is based on respect for laws, respect for institutions and civil dialogue. Any deliberate destruction of public property, provocations and aggression are unacceptable and contradict the principles of the rule of law […] Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but it does not mean the right to destruction, threats and anarchy,” the post says.

DRF insists on opposing attempts to incite hatred and division in society. Bulgaria needs constructive debate and solutions, not chaos and violence, the party's press centre said.

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MRF – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski also released a statement condemning the rally.

“Another brutal provocation by a gang of fascists around Kostadinov from Vazrazhdane today requires the urgent and categorical intervention of all authorities. […] They committed a pogrom against the EC building in Sofia, attacked and injured policemen,” Peevski wrote.

“This outrageous and blatant assault against the rule of law, democracy, statehood, threatens the lives and health of citizens, while everyone stands by and watches cowardly and indifferently, these criminal elements rampage and destroy in the centre of Sofia […] I call on the State, in the person of the Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor's Office, to intervene with all their power and stop this rabble,” the MRF statement said.

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"I strongly condemn today's acts of vandalism by Revival in front of the European Commission's office! This is not the face of Bulgaria, but an anti-Bulgarian and anti-democratic action. It carries a huge risk for the public image of Bulgaria as a country with a clear European profile, and tries to instill fear and opposition in our society," BSP leader Atanas Zafirov said in a press release

“Bulgaria will be part of the Eurozone when it is ready to contribute to the stability and prosperity of this European space. Freedom of expression is indisputable, but it only goes as far as it does not hurt, defile, insult or impugn the positions and morals of other individuals and institutions. That is why I do not accept the actions of a handful of noisy, self-conceited politicians whose aim is to assert themselves through extreme actions and to cast a shadow of doubt on the European and democratic profile of Bulgarians and our society,” Zafirov wrote.

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The delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament categorically rejects the acts of vandalism and violence by representatives and supporters of the Vazrazhdane party in front of the House of Europe in Sofia, the BSP said in a statement.

"We respect protest as a form of civil and political position, but not when it purposefully escalates to extreme forms that threaten the lives and health of citizens and law enforcement officers," the BSP press centre said.

According to the socialists, democracy guarantees pluralism of opinions and the place of the eurozone debate is first and foremost in the Bulgarian Parliament, which is called upon to make the final decision on whether and when Bulgaria is ready to join. "We insist that this debate be conducted with arguments and facts, not with paint and firecrackers. We call for a broad, calm and good-natured conversation, in which we are ready to actively participate as representatives of the left in the European Parliament," the delegation of Bulgarian socialists in the European Parliament said.

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“What happened today in front of the European Commission building in Sofia is not a protest, but shameful, hooligan acts, vandalism and embarrassment. Thankfully, Bulgaria is a member of the EU,” There Is Such a People (TISP) wrote in a press release.

“Acts like this embarrass us in front of everyone: ourselves, and unfortunately the whole of Europe. There can be no other treatment of the perpetrators of such acts than the full severity of the law,” the statement said.

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“From the very first outrage of Vazrazhdane against Bulgarian institutions and common human values, "Yes, Bulgaria" has condemned the political embodiment of violence in an irrevocable and unconditional manner. Systematically, forcefully and unsuccessfully Kostadin Kostadinov and his subordinates poison our society with destruction and hatred in an attempt to divert it from its civilizational choice and European path,” Yes, Bulgaria wrote in a position.

“Fascist-minded gangs with MPs hidden behind their immunities have no place in European Bulgaria. They are an affront to parliamentarianism, to the coat of arms of the republic, to statehood, to civil society and even to human, good-faith relations between us. […] Vazrazhdane seeks to rewrite the blackest pages of political violence in 20th century Bulgarian history, but Kostadinov and company are doomed to fail. Bulgaria will not let them do it again,” the statement reads.

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“I cannot believe the footage of what is happening in front of the European Commission office in Sofia,” wrote on Facebook the Bulgarian Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva. "The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by our Constitution, but it is absolutely unacceptable to vandalize the building of the European Commission - it's like burning and destroying your own home," she added.

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Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria strongly condemn Saturday's acts of violence and vandalism committed by representatives of the Vazrazhdane party, who attacked the building of the European Commission office in Sofia.

“What has happened is not an accident, but part of a consistent strategy to undermine the Bulgarian political system, behind which the interests of a hostile foreign power are evident,” the statement reads.

“From the stopping of screenings in cinemas and threats against citizens; going through the violent obstruction of the MPs Yavor Bojankov and Manol Peykov from expressing their opinion from the rostrum, the insults and physical aggression against them on the sidelines; the anti-Semitic manifestations and attacks against Daniel Lorer, for which Kostadinov was convicted of hate speech by the Commission for Protection against Discrimination; the riots and shoving of actors in front of the National Theatre, the black-listing of teachers, journalists, NGOs, etc. etc.; the invasions and shameless assault on institutions such as the NSI and the BNB, and here we are today […] How far are they prepared to go? The answer is simple - as far as we let them. As far as they meet no resistance,” the release says.

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“I strongly condemn the aggression, endangering the lives of citizens and vandalism in the city. It is unacceptable to incite fear and hatred,” Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev wrote on Facebook.

"Peaceful expression of position is the right of everyone. Attacking the security of the city and its people is a crime. The actions of all those who threatened public order and vandalized the building of the European Commission representation are a disgrace to our city and our country," the Mayor wrote.