Latest drone attack off Bulgaria’s coast sparks new wave of political reactions ahead of finale of presidential elections
The latest drone attack on a merchant ship off Bulgaria’s coast, on the Contship Jet on October 28, sparked a new wave of political reactions, with sharp criticism of the government ahead of the second and final round of the country’s presidential elections on November 1.
In the elections, incumbent President Iliana Yotova has the backing of Prime Minister Roumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria, while former caretaker prime minister Andrei Gyurov is backed by opposition reformist formations Democratic Bulgaria and We Continue the Change.
The attacks on merchant shipping off Bulgaria’s coast, which Radev and Yotova decline to blame on Russia – they claim that there is no firm evidence – have been a key theme in the presidential election campaign.
The official election campaign period also saw a resolution in the European Parliament, approved by a large majority, that criticised Radev and his government for their weak response to the Russian threat in the Black Sea.
In a video address on October 28, Gyurov sharply criticised the government for its actions regarding the security of Bulgarian waters and the Black Sea coast.
He said that the authorities are using the fear of war but are not taking the necessary measures to protect the country from real risks.
“I have a question for those who use the word ‘warmongers’ – a favourite word of Goebbels and Stalin. How did you ensure peace? How did you ensure the security of our waters and coasts?” Gyurov said.
Gyurov said that those in power talk about the danger of war, while their own inaction allows the risks to reach Bulgaria directly.
“While those in power are scaring us with war, it is precisely their inaction that is allowing the war to reach our shores. The government cannot, does not know, and fails to protect its citizens,” he said.
Gyurov called on the state to move from declarations and political suggestions to clear measures to protect the population, shipping and the Bulgarian coast.
“It is time to realize what these people are causing and finally defend our country. Radev and Yotova are observers – they do not inform the population, they hide and refuse to take clear action,” he said.
Democratic Bulgaria co-leader Ivailo Mirchev said: “The drone strike near Cape Kaliakra is a new attack against Bulgaria. Neither Radev nor Yotova can protect the country, because its defence does not go through humiliation. Whenever someone humiliates themselves, does not show character and does not defend the national interest, this happens”.
Asked why the new drone attack on merchant ships in the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea is happening during a trilateral meeting between the defence ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye, Mirchev said: “Russia is mocking us in every possible way, and this is clearly not going to stop”.
Mirchev said that after the first drone strike, Democratic Bulgaria insisted that the Consultative Council on National Security request the summoning of the Russian ambassador so that she could be handed a categorical note demanding a commitment that Russia would not launch new attacks off the Bulgarian coast.
“Yotova and Radev refused to do this and now we see the result. How did Radev respond? ‘We will humble ourselves.’ Well, we humbled ourselves. What did Romania do? It very clearly pointed out Russia as the author of the attack, summoned the Russian ambassador and handed him a categorical note.
Then Radev said that Romania was attacked again because it pointed out Russia as the aggressor. Bulgaria was hit again today in its economic zone, even though we humbled ourselves and did nothing,” Mirchev said.
“On Sunday, be sure to go out and vote for a president who will not stoop,” he said.
Georg Georgiev, an MP for GERB – which has neither nominated nor endorsed a candidate in the presidential election – said that the moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea is not working.
Georgiev criticised the diplomatic actions of the Bulgarian authorities and questioned the effectiveness of the measures taken.
He also commented on the summoning of Russian ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova, lacing his remarks with irony.
“The coffee must not have been tasty enough and, unfortunately, the problems there continue,” Georgiev said.
Earlier, Georg Georgiev and fellow GERB MP Hristo Gadzhev insisted on specific measures to guarantee shipping safety and warned of the growing risks for Bulgaria.
Georgiev criticised the way Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov reported on the incident during the joint press conference with his colleagues from Romania and Türkiye.
Georgiev said that Stoyanov had the opportunity to condemn the attack, demonstrate determination, and present specific actions, but he only mentioned the case at the end of his speech.
“It’s as if the New Year’s programme on the military television channel announced it to us. That’s how it sounded.”
Georgiev also criticised previous government statements related to incidents in Romanian waters and diplomatic contacts with Russia.
“How long will Bulgaria crawl in the grass? How long will its head be under water?” he asked.
“Drinking tea with ambassadors will not solve the issue,” Greens/European Free Alliance MEP Sergey Lagodinsky told Bulgarian National Radio on October 28.
Lagodinsky, who was instrumental in the European Parliament text criticising Radev, called on Radev not to show hesitation and not to hide.
“This shows that it is not enough to just have tea with ambassadors, nor to hide and not call things by their real names,” Lagodinsky said.
“This encourages and motivates aggressors, not deters them. So from this perspective, it would be extremely useful if the Prime Minister showed that this is not the time to hide, to hesitate, or to try not to provoke anything, but to stand by the EU, as well as by neighbours like Romania, who also expect solidarity,” he said.
“That’s why I really hope that the government in Bulgaria will realise that hiding is not the right way to show strength.”
“I really hope that the main position that Bulgaria has maintained for years will continue – that we are all together and united in our solidarity with Ukraine, as well as in our solidarity to become a force capable of defending itself, so that we can all together defend the territory of the EU,” Lagodinsky said.
“The only question I would like to ask (Radev) is whether this line will remain the same as before and whether it will be followed by concrete actions. I really hope that this will be something that the Prime Minister will agree to,” he said.
