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Internet platform for studying Xenophobia, Radicalism and Problems of Intercultural communication.

Radical Right-Wing Political Parties and Groups

Radical Right-Wing Political Parties and Groups

Bulgaria has several large radical right-wing organisations. First of all, it is the parliamentary party “Ataka” (Attack) – 9.4% votes at 2009 parliamentary elections, and 7.3% at 2013 elections). The second largest nationalist party is VMRO (Bulgarian National Movement). Bulgarian National Union (BNU) organisation, created in 2001, is positioning itself as the heir to the Union of Bulgarian National Legionnaires – a fascist organisation of the interwar Bulgaria.

On November 9, 2013, a Nationalist Party of Bulgaria (NPB) has been founded, openly professing racial hatred.

These organisations do not hide their beliefs and promote them through their websites and social networks. They stand on anti-immigration positions, particularly against Middle Eastern migrants, Roma and Turks.

In its programme, “Attack” talks about Bulgaria as a mono-national, mono-confessional and mono-cultural state, where there cannot be multiple faiths, ethnicities and cultures. The party advocates banning state media publications in languages other than Bulgarian. They are also proposing to introduce strict sanctions for “blasphemy against Bulgaria”, introduce “national betrayal” to the Criminal Code and hold a trial against “traitors”. Economic policy of “Attack” party involves “Bulgariasation” of trade, manufacturing and banking, essentially closing these fields to non-Bulgarians. The party also proposes asserting Orthodoxy as an official religion in Bulgaria, and introducing religious education in primary school. “Attack” also advocates the need to create a state programme to control and eradicate gypsy crime.

The Bulgarian National Movement (VMRO), positions itself as “patriots, traditionalists and conservatives”. The party advocates “unification of Bulgarians” referring to the accession of part of Macedonia to Bulgaria. VMRO also stands for introduction of Orthodox Christianity as a state religion. Of other confessions, only the “traditional” ones will be allowed to operate in Bulgaria. Regarding Roma, which VMRO accuses of parasitism, the party proposes to introduce labour service and cancel the “unreasonable”, in their view, social benefits.

The Patriotic Front proposes to demolish all illegal Roma houses (around 70% of all Roma houses) and forcibly relocate them into special camps under police supervision. The Front also advocates for the “civil right to resist the construction of mosques and minarets”, demanding an immediate ban of missionary activity by “non-traditional” religions and conduction of services in Bulgarian language only.

Right-wing radicals have the support of around 10% of the electorate. May 25th European Elections resulted in Bulgaria Uncensored (coalition including VMRO) gaining 10.6% votes and two seats in the European parliament. One of the seats is held by Angel Djambazki, who is known for his xenophobic statements.

On October 5, Bulgaria held parliamentary elections. Results published on October 9 show the Patriotic Front – uniting National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria (NFSB) and Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) – gathered 7.28% votes and 19 seats. Bulgaria Uncensored received 5.69% votes and 15 seats, while the Attack party received 4.52% votes.

Radical nationalist influence over the local government authorities remains insignificant. They lost the 2011 elections and only managed to bring forward one candidate into the post of Municipal Adviser of Sofia – a member of VMRO Angel Djambazki.

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