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

Christo Grozev

Bulgaria's Christo Grozev receives European Journalist of the Year award at PRIX EUROPA festival

Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev was honored as European Journalist of the Year at the official ceremony of the PRIX EUROPA festival in Berlin. Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev named European Journalist of the..

published on 10/11/25 9:44 AM

Bulgarian Red Cross launches campaign to assist 640,000 socially disadvantaged citizens

From 13 October until 28 November, the Bulgarian Red Cross will hand out products, purchased by the Social Assistance Agency, to vulnerable citizens, the press centre of the organization has announced. The initiative is part of the “Food and basic..

published on 10/11/25 9:25 AM

Marathon themed "Let's Outrun Dementia" to be held in Sofia's South Park for 7th time

An amateur marathon under the motto "Let's Outrun Dementia" will be held at 9 am in Sofia's South Park on October 11 . The initiative is by the civil association "Alzheimer Bulgaria" and aims to encourage active living as a prevention against..

published on 10/11/25 7:35 AM