Bulgaria Won't Ban Rallies in Languages Other Than Bulgarian

Politics » DOMESTIC | September 20, 2012, Thursday // 14:06

Bulgaria's Parliament did not back a proposal made by the xenophobic Ataka (Attack) party demanding that all public rallies in the country be held only in Bulgarian.

Far-right Ataka proposed the ban after the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms party submitted a draft bill paving the way for election campaigns in languages other than Bulgarian, as long as translation has been provided.

Ataka had claimed that the bill would "lead to the isolation of whole communities, which violates EU's principles and values."

Movement for Rights and Freedoms MPs said that Ataka was simply trying to redeem its tarnished image.

"Why do we allow Bill Clinton, George Bush and the Pope to speak in their native language (in Bulgaria), while banning rallies in languages other than Bulgarian?" MP Tuncher Kardzhaiev rhetorically asked.

The ethnic Turkish party's draft bill is based on the recommendation provided in the report of OSCE observers at the 2011 elections that languages other than Bulgarian should be allowed at pre-election meetings and rallies, as long as translation services have been secured.

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Tags: Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Election Code, Ataka, constitution, OSCE, tukish

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