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

Sunny but cold Sunday expected in Bulgaria

It will be cold with minimum temperatures between minus 14°C and minus 9°C, in places in the northeastern regions up to minus 16°C, for Sofia - around minus 9°C. On Sunday it will be mostly sunny. Before noon in some places in the plains and..

published on 2/22/25 6:24 PM

March marking the World Day of Rare Diseases takes place in Sofia

Relatives of patients suffering from rare diseases organized a march in Sofia on the occasion of the World Day of Rare Diseases. They call on the state to develop a National Plan for people with rare diseases. The march was attended by relatives and..

published on 2/22/25 6:16 PM

The Bulgarian Government strongly condemns desecration of EC building

The government strongly condemned the desecration of the European Commission building in Bulgaria in a Facebook post. "Attacks against institutions, whether national or European, are unacceptable and contradict the principles of the rule of law...

published on 2/22/25 4:31 PM