Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Press Review

Photo: library

This Friday the Bulgarian press focuses on ongoing election tensions between Bulgaria and Turkey. A major reason became yesterday's criticisms voiced by Turkish President Erdogan that on the eve of parliamentary elections Bulgaria exerted "pressure" over the Turks on its territory and this was "unacceptable" for Ankara.

Commenting on this criticism, Standard Daily writes that after Erdogan started quarreling with half of Europe, he finally attacked Bulgaria and its elections. The newspaper also pays attention to the sharp reaction of President Rumen Radev. Under the title "Radev recommends that Erdogan should learn more history and geography," the "Dnevnik" newspaper highlights the words of the president that "Bulgaria does not give, but also does not accept lessons on democracy, especially from countries that do not respect the rule of law" and his recommendation that every statesman should learn the lessons of history and geography.

Sega Daily writes that after it became clear that Ankara had given an 11-day holiday to Bulgarian emigrants in order for them to vote and had urged them to campaign in their home towns, the United Patriots coalition would restart blockades on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and would not allow “election tourists” from the southern neighbor. The blockades would be ended on Sunday at noon. According to the patriots, over 100 buses, as well as many vans passed through Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint during the week. According to the Turkish agency "Dogan," at least 1,200 people from the Istanbul district of Avcilar and at least 4,500 from Bursa would vote in Bulgaria.

"Sega" writes also that Turkish Minister of Labor Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, who recently became notorious for his public campaigning for a Bulgarian party, is now back in the role of a speaker of Ankara and expressed expectations that Bulgarian authorities would ensure transport security and would not hinder the Turkish immigrants to vote. In an interview to Turkish media, the minister criticized Bulgaria that "it was living with fears of the past" and was creating "meaningless troubles" because of its fears of Turkey's great potential. "24 Hours" adds a special touch to the topic, quoting VMRO leader Krasimir Karakachanov who said that Turkey was forcing Bulgarian emigrants to vote in Bulgaria.

English: Al. Markov



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

Photo: Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles

Beverly Hills declares March 3 as Bulgarian–American Friendship Day

On February 19th, the day when Bulgarians worldwide commemorate 152 years since the passing of the Apostle of Freedom, Vasil Levski, Bulgaria’s National Liberation Day, March 3rd, received special recognition in Beverly Hills.  Mayor Lester Friedman..

published on 2/20/25 10:09 AM
Photo: 'Balkan Bridge Association, Bitola

Balkan Bridge Association opens office in Bitola

An office of the association for culture, education, and tradition "Balkan Bridge" was opened in Bitola in the presence of Bulgarian Ambassador to North Macedonia Zhelyazko Radukov, Bulgarian Consul General in Bitola Nikolay Dimitrov, diplomats and..

published on 2/20/25 9:44 AM

Education ministry discusses introduction of virtue and religion classes

Education must make children not only knowledgeable but also good people, said Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev at a meeting with His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia. "We are discussing the..

published on 2/20/25 9:02 AM