Controversial Bulgarian Populist Leader Marries Sweetheart

Order, Law and Justice (RZS) party leader Yane Yanev and his girlfriend Galya Yancheva at a picture dated December 11, 2010. Photo by BGNES

Yane Yanev, leader of the self-styled conservative Order, Law and Justice (RZS) party, married his girlfriend Galya Yancheva Sunday at the Rozhen Monastery in southwestern Bulgaria.

The festive ceremony took place in the presence of some 300 invitees, relatives of the newlyweds, and political partners of Yanev.

Yanev and Yancheva, who is 16 younger than the 40-year-old politician, have been together for some 5 years, since meeting during an election campaign in Cherven Bryag.

According to Yanev, for most of that time they chose to keep their relationship secret even from their closest relatives and friends, so as not to draw public attention.

Asked by journalists, the RZS leader stated that his wedding has nothing to do with the imminent campaign for presidential and municipal elections in the fall.

As part of his tumultous political carreer, Yanev has been accused by former male political associates of sexual harassment.

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