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

The weather over the weekend will be changeable with clouds, rain and sun

In Saturday an atmospheric disturbance will sweep across the country. Minimum temperatures will reach 8-13° C., for Sofia 10° C. After the nighttime precipitation over Northern Bulgaria, during the day the Northwesterly wind will pick up..

published on 10/10/25 6:25 PM

Bulgarian fruit, nut and vegetable producers to receive €7.4 million from EU

The European Commission will provide around €50 million from the EU agricultural reserve to fruit, nut and vegetable producers in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Romania who have suffered significant damage from adverse weather events,..

published on 10/10/25 5:31 PM
Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov

Fighting the grey economy means fighting labour exploitation, minister of labour says

The fight against the grey sector is directly connected with restricting labour exploitation and with human rights protection, said Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov at the opening of an international conference “Improving..

published on 10/10/25 3:11 PM