Thousands of Bulgarians demonstrate for peace

May 21. (EUROPE PRESS) –

Thousands of people demonstrated this Sunday in Sofia and other Bulgarian cities to demand a referendum for peace and to demand a referendum on the involvement of their country in the war in Ukraine.

The conveners have called for the holding of a referendum “For peace and sovereignty” in the face of what they consider a risk of the country being drawn into war over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and to demand consultations on all relevant political issues. , reports the Bulgarian news agency BTA.

“We are here to defend a Bulgaria in peace. We are for peace and against war. Neither the president, nor the Government nor the National Assembly, but the Bulgarian people should decide if we want war or peace”, argued one of the conveners , Nako Stefanov.

“There are voices asking us to protest in front of diplomatic missions and foreign embassies. Let’s make it clear. We don’t want to tell them what to do. We want our institutions to defend Bulgaria,” he added.

The demonstrators have gathered in front of the NDK congress palace in Sofia and in other cities of the country and have collected signatures to demand the calling of the referendum.

The act has been convened by the Bulgarian National Council for Peace, the People’s Network, Free and Peaceful Bulgaria and the Church of St. George Triumphant.

The participants have stressed that “strength lies in the unity” of the people through popular organizations, not political parties, for which they have asked that symbols of political parties not be shown.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has joined several of the events with deputies present in a personal capacity in cities such as Sofia or Varna. There has also been representation from the Bulgarian Anti-Fascist Union.