Intellectuals, Politicians Back Bulgaria's Nobel Peace Prize Bid

Intellectuals and politicians, among whom two presidents, have voiced strong support for the idea to nominate Bulgaria for the Nobel Peace Prize for saving the country's Jews during World War II.

The information was reported by the largest, private TV channel bTV.

The idea for the European Union to nominate Bulgaria for the Prize on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the rescue in 2013 was first launched by former Bulgarian Foreign Minister, and President of the Atlantic Club, Dr. Solomon Passy.

Passy explained that after the EU received the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, it has the right to nominate other organizations and individuals, adding President Rosen Plevneliev could be leading the campaign.

The only known Bulgarian nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize is the one of Prime Minister, Andrey Lyapchev, in 1910, by the Speaker of the Parliament, Hristo Slaveykov. The Nobel Committee has a rule to not reveal nominations in any area for 50 years.

In addition to prize winners, university lecturers, magistrates, Members of the Parliament, or Ministers can nominate candidates.

In the first half of the 20th century, Bulgaria had 7 nominations for the Nobel Prize for Literature, mostly on the initiative of Sofia University professors, but the Peace Prize has different criteria.

The deadline for the nomination is February 1.