Regional branches of Bulgaria’s DPS-New Beginning party, led by controversial figure Delian Peevski, are planning coordinated demonstrations on Tuesday, December 9, in support of the current Zhelyazkov cabinet amid ongoing political tensions. The planned rallies, announced via Facebook posts from several regional groups, follow a closed-door party meeting Friday and are drawing scrutiny from opposition parties who allege coercive tactics are being used to inflate attendance. disturbing reports are emerging of alleged pressure being placed on vulnerable citizens – including those with disabilities – to participate in the pro-government demonstrations,raising concerns about free assembly and potential human rights violations.
Regional branches of the DPS-New Beginning party, led by Delian Peevski, are planning demonstrations in support of the Zhelyazkov cabinet on Tuesday, December 9, beginning at 6 p.m.
The planned rallies come as regional groups in Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Silistra, and Vratsa have announced their support on Facebook, signaling a coordinated effort to bolster the current government.
According to posts from those regions, local DPS coordinators held meetings on Saturday, while branches in Haskovo, Kardzhali, Lovech, Yambol, Targovishte, and Ruse have so far only expressed support for Peevski without announcing protests.
Members of Parliament Stanislav Anastasov and Erbil Halim attended the meeting in Haskovo.
Ivailo Mirchev of “Yes, Bulgaria” has warned of similar demonstrations. The announcement follows a closed-door meeting Friday where Peevski gathered party members.
Elisaveta Belobradova of DB detailed how individuals are being recruited for the protests, sharing accounts on her Facebook page.
“I’m receiving calls from Haskovo and Kardzhali at 8 p.m. on Saturday, telling me that Peevski’s spineless minions, led by Erol Myumyun, have begun a massive campaign of terror against people with disability certificates, threatening to withhold pensions if they don’t board buses and attend the protests,” Belobradova wrote.
“I spoke with a woman with multiple sclerosis who can only move one arm. She told me she was pressured to get on the bus in her wheelchair, or her hours for a personal assistant would be taken away, as she has no one else to rely on.”
“But she isn’t afraid. She told me, ‘Turks and Bulgarians have always understood each other, we live in peace, but now a Bulgarian who lives in Todor Zhivkov’s apartment is crushing and threatening us with some kind of ethnic war. There is no such war. I remember when they entered my home with automatic weapons, I was 13 during the Revival Process, but now Bulgarians and Turks are building families and living together. This government must go, this bully must be removed, and we need to breathe again.’
‘Bulgarians, Turks, and Roma are one people, under one flag.’ What kind of people are you to torment people in wheelchairs, people with chronic illnesses, elderly, poor people? What is this despair in your black souls?”
“I feel sorry for all the frightened, tormented people who you will drag to the squares of the regional cities on December 9, 2025, and for which no resignation will be sufficient compensation.
“And anyone who wants to contact me and report harassment by DPS New Beginning mayors and councilors – write to me, tell me, file reports.
“This cowardly mouse is no longer hiding only behind the NSO, but behind the backs of the poor, the elderly, and the sick. A human stain in the corner of Todor Zhivkov’s office.
“You are stronger than him. Every person is stronger than these remnants, and Bulgarians, Turks, and Roma are one people under one flag.”
