Bulgarian Ultranationalists Protest Government's Coronavirus Measures
Supporters of the Vazrazhdane party protested against the government, vaccines, and 5G technology.
SOFIA -- Some two thousand supporters of an ultranationalist and pro-Russian party protested in Sofia against the Bulgarian government and its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Vazrazhdane party organized the protest in front of the National Assembly in the capital on May 14 despite a ban on large gatherings to stem the spread of the virus.
Organizers had called on people to "get their country back" and demanded the resignation of the "criminal government.”
Protests Against COVID-19 Lockdowns Spread Around The World
1/15Spotlights over Kyiv from a rally of Ukrainian artists and entertainment-industry workers on May 12. They demanded financial support from the government and an easing of lockdown measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
2/15Russian riot police confront crowds protesting against self-isolation orders in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, on April 20.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
3/15Residents of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, wearing masks and practicing physical distancing hold placards as they protest against a quarantine center that was set up in their neighborhood on April 19.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
4/15Police officers in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, detain supporters of the opposition Pine Cone (Girchi) party on April 23 as they protest against the extension of the state of emergency in the country.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
5/15Protesters in Tel Aviv take part in a "Black Flag" demonstration to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
6/15A protest in Kyiv against the ban on summer restaurant terraces in Ukraine.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
7/15A Ukrainian protester in Kyiv sports a protective face mask with the slogan "Save FOP," or "save small business."
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
8/15An aerial view shows tables in front of city hall in Dortmund, Germany, during a protest by struggling restaurant owners.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
9/15An elderly man wearing a face mask is arrested by Austrian police in Vienna during a demonstration against the anti-coronavirus measures taken by the government.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
10/15Belgrade residents make noise as they stand on the roof of a building for a May 1 protest against the Serbian government's coronavirus lockdown.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
11/15Family members in Karachi hold signs demanding the evacuation of Pakistani students from China who couldn't return after the coronavirus outbreak.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
12/15Italian shopkeepers gather for a flash-mob protest on the Rialto Bridge on May 4 in Venice.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
13/15Members of Opera Australia Orchestra perform outside the offices of Opera Australia to call on the company to reconsider its decision to stand down musicians without pay following a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
14/15Protesters in Prague hold up placards on April 29 that read: "Do you have a plan? Can I know it?" and "When will you start smart testing?"
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
15/15Buses and cars parked by Ukrainian small business owners during a protest in Kyiv on May 13 who were demanding they be allowed to return to work.
Governments around the world face growing pressure to lift lockdowns aimed at easing the spread of the coronavirus. Here's a look at protests against the measures around the world, from the peaceful to the violent.
Previous slide
Next slide
It was the first public protest since Prime Minister Boris Borisov’s GERB-led government imposed a state of emergency on March 13 to halt the spread of the virus.
The state of emergency ended on May 13 but was replaced by a "health emergency situation” with similar restrictions.
The Interior Ministry said eight people were detained for various reasons and the large gathering amounted to a "gross violation of anti-epidemic measures.”
Some of those at the protest claimed the coronavirus was part of a global conspiracy that includes Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft whose foundation is supporting the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Other protesters carried slogans against the compulsory vaccination of children, a topic that has also provoked various conspiracy theories around the world.
As at other Vazrazhdane events, some participants waved Russian flags or wore T-shirts featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin. The protesters also spoke out against the European Union.
In the last parliamentary elections in 2017, the Vazrazhdane party received 1.1 percent of the vote and remained outside the National Assembly.
Recent opinion polls suggest Borisov’s center-right government has gained popularity for its response to the coronavirus crisis, which has infected 2,100 people and caused 99 deaths in the country.
RFE/RL’s Bulgarian Service relaunched in 2019 after a 15-year absence, providing independent news and original analysis to help strengthen a media landscape weakened by the monopolization of ownership and corruption.
