Send to Kindle
From left to right: Mitrofanova, Gutsanov, Petkov
Bulgarian Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov, a candidate for the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leadership, participated in a conference organized by the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria. The event, titled "Transition from a Unipolar to a Multipolar World. Europe - the Balkans - Bulgaria," was held in Sofia to mark the 95th anniversary of the birth of Russian diplomat Yevgeny Primakov. Among the attendees were former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, MEP Kristian Vigenin, Kaloyan Pargov, and ABV leader Rumen Petkov, as well as BSP ideologist Ivo Hristov. Notably absent was Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, another contender for the BSP chairmanship.
The conference received extensive coverage on the Russian Embassy’s Facebook page and was also highlighted by the BSP press center. However, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy did not acknowledge Gutsanov's participation. According to the BSP press office, Gutsanov described the event as a symbol of "the wind of change visible throughout the world." He stated that the shift from a unipolar to a multipolar world presents a different perspective, expressing hope for change amid global conflicts, migration crises, and wars. He also reiterated his belief that while Bulgaria belongs in Brussels, maintaining dialogue with Russia and China remains crucial.
Gutsanov’s participation sparked political reactions in Bulgaria. MP Ivaylo Mirchev from the "Democratic Bulgaria" party announced he had submitted an official parliamentary question regarding the minister’s involvement in the event. He criticized Gutsanov’s presence, calling it part of a broader attempt to legitimize authoritarianism as an alternative to democracy. Mirchev also pointed out that while Bulgaria seeks deeper integration with NATO and the EU, a minister was speaking of a "wind of change" at an event hosted by the Russian Embassy.
GERB leader Boyko Borissov also commented on the situation, stating that he was not pleased to see Gutsanov alongside Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova. However, he attributed Gutsanov's appointment as minister to issues brought by the party "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (i.e. the failed "assembly" coalition between GERB and WCC-DB).
Minister of Environment and Waters Manol Genov, a representative of BSP-United Left, also weighed in on the controversy, stating that it was inappropriate for Gutsanov to attend events organized by the Russian Embassy. He emphasized that Russia is considered an adversary and that BSP should carefully decide which events it participates in. Genov suggested that Gutsanov should provide an explanation to the party, particularly if he attended the conference in a personal capacity rather than as a minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov defended Gutsanov, stating that he was merely a guest at a scientific conference, not an official event of the Russian Embassy. He downplayed the political implications, insisting that the event was not biased.
The Russian Embassy published detailed information and photos from the event, showing the participation of other BSP leadership hopefuls, including Kaloyan Pargov. The conference was dedicated not only to Primakov’s anniversary but also to the 80th anniversary of the Yalta Conference, which historically shaped post-war geopolitical divisions.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev held a meeting with EU ambassadors, discussing key international issues, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and developments in the Middle East. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Bulgaria’s commitment to working closely with the new U.S. administration on global challenges.
Sources:
Two Greek-managed oil tankers were struck by drones on Tuesday near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in the Black Sea, which handles roughly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Bulgarian grain producers are preparing to join Europe-wide protests against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which is scheduled to be officially signed on January 17
Russian forces carried out a large-scale combined missile and drone attack across several regions of Ukraine on the night of January 12–13, with Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts among the hardest hit, while emergency power outages were introduced in Kyi
An attack was carried out on the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje on Sunday, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, describing the incident as a serious breach of diplomatic norms.
Nearly all Bulgarian exports to Mercosur countries are set to benefit from the EU trade agreement approved on Friday, according to European Commission data. The pact, the largest in EU history, covers Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met in Jerusalem with Bulgarian diplomat and former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov, who is expected to become the on-the-ground head of a US-backed Peace Board tasked with overseeing the next stage of g
Following the return of the second exploratory mandate by “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) to President Rumen Radev, former Finance Minister Asen Vassilev commented on the ongoing debate over changes to Bulgaria’s Electoral Code
Nadezhda Yordanova formally accepted the second mandate to form a government from President Rumen Radev on behalf of the parliamentary group "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) and immediately returned it unfulfilled
A demonstration calling for the restoration of the Bulgarian lev took place outside the National Assembly on the first working day of MPs for the year, coinciding with the political process of the president handing over the second mandate to form a govern
The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) voted 12 to 2 against a proposal from MPs Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bojanov (WCC-DB) to organize a public inspection of voting machines. The request aimed to address concerns raised by political parties and civil o
Political tensions escalated over the ongoing garbage crisis in Sofia, with senior figures from GERB, DPS-New Beginning, and TISP sharply criticizing Mayor Vasil Terziev, while the Metropolitan Municipality announced new measures aimed at transparency and
The initial batch of Stryker armored vehicles is scheduled to be shipped from the United States to Bulgaria in February, with delivery directed to the Terem-Ivaylo military plant in Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence
