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

Valeri Simeonov refuses to apologize for words referring to Russian patriarch

Photo: BGNES

Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov has refused to apologize for his strong-worded statement regarding Russian Patriarch Kirill.

Earlier this week in a televised interview Simeonov termed the patriarch “a second-rate cop” and “a tobacco bishop” following Kirill’s reproach to Bulgaria for having underestimated Russia’s role for its liberation.

Asked whether the government coalition can go on its term without Simeonov’s party National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria which is member of the United Patriots coalition, the deputy prime minister replied that there was no problem provided the respective parliamentary majority could be formed.

In the meantime, the other two co-chairmen of the United Patriots Volen Siderov (Ataka party) and Krasimir Karakachanov (VMRO) who reacted strongly against the statement of Valeri Simeonov now say that tensions in the coalition will soon come under control. 




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

Weather forecast: Clouds on Sunday, temperatures will go down

During the night the clouds will increase. After a temporary improvement in visibility, there will be fog or low clouds in the lowlands and valleys. There will be a light wind from the East-Southeast. Minimum temperatures will range from minus 2° C...

published on 2/1/25 6:15 PM

Bulgarians detained onboard Vezhen have given testimony to the Swedish investigators

Bulgaria’s consul to Sweden Stefan Stoykov has met with the eight Bulgarian sailors, members of the crew of the ship Vezhen suspected of sabotaging a Baltic Sea cable. Sweden seizes Bulgarian ship sailing under Maltese flag European..

published on 2/1/25 5:32 PM
Borislav Gutsanov

Social benefits will not be reduced, social policy minister says

There will be no reduction in social benefits, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov told reporters. There is complete accord among the political forces in the ruling coalition that social benefits must be preserved and that..

published on 2/1/25 5:16 PM