The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly opposes the planned holding of the so-called Lukov March, the ministry said in a statement. Such events are incompatible with the values and customs of Bulgarian society, create division, provoke intolerance and harm the country, the ministry said, noting that the streets of the Bulgarian capital cannot be a stage for international extremism.

While welcoming the efforts of Bulgarian institutions to counter the event, the ministry calls for all legal actions to be taken to prevent a Lukov March in 2023.

The statement is supported by a number of NGOs in the country, the organization of Jews in Bulgaria "Shalom" and the US Embassy in Sofia.

The Lukovmarch is a torchlight procession held annually in February since 2003 to mark the anniversary of the execution-style murder of General Hristo Lukov by two communist militants. Lukov (1888-1943) was a popular military commander, but was also known for his close ties to the Third Reich and his activities as leader of the far-right Union of Bulgarian National Legions, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) recalled.