Bulgaria President: New Muslim Party Is Threat to Ethnic Peace

Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov said; “the most important thing for me is the competent authority to clarify who is actually the initiator of the Union. For me it is important here that the party is not involved with radical Islam." Photo by Sofia Ph

Bulgaria President Georgi Parvanov has criticized the formation of the new Muslim Democratic Union party (MDU) in Slavyanovo as a provocation to ethnic peace in the country.

Parvanov, speaking after the opening of the academic year at Sofia University, stated; "I do not expect serious problems. Many hope to exploit the matter politically." He added that “"The creation of a similar formation undoubtedly causes tension. I think the response of the public institutions was adequate.”

Regarding the MDU he said that “the most important thing for me is the competent authority to clarify who is actually the initiator of the Union. For me it is important here that the party is not involved with radical Islam."

Earlier Thursday it was reported that the monument of the Unknown Turkish Soldier in Slavyanovo village was dismantled late Wednesday, the Mayor told Darik radio.

The "Muslim Democratic Union" was founded Saturday in Slavyanovo.

The village is located in northern Bulgaria, near the town of Popovo, an area largely populated by ethnic Turks.

The founders of the "Muslim Democratic Union" are the notorious brothers Ali Yuzeirov and Yuzeir Yuzeirov. The party was found by 680 written declarations while Ali Yuzeirov was elected party Chair.