Bulgarian PM Faces Fine for Hand-feeding Young Ladies

Borisov has added a twist to the tradition over the past couple of years, as he has been hand-feeding pieces of pogacha to young ladies at ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Photo by dariknews.bg

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov may face a fine of up to BGN 3 000 (EUR 1536) for his peculiar habit of hand-feeding young ladies at official ceremonies.

In Bulgaria, a tradition exists for women to present bread and salt to guests as a sign of hospitality.

Guests are supposed to take a small piece of a fancy type of bread called pogacha, dip it into the salt and eat it. The tradition is often carried out at official ceremonies, with high officials being offered bread and salt, usually by young girls.

However, Borisov has added a twist to the tradition over the last couple of years, as he has been hand-feeding pieces of pogacha to young ladies at ribbon-cutting ceremonies instead of swallowing the pieces himself, often gently slapping the girls on the cheeks in the process.

Journalist Velizar Enchev has deemed Borisov's habit disgusting and has now filed a discrimination complaint against him with the Bulgarian Commission for Protection against Discrimination.

"I believe this is a rude violation of human rights, a discrimination based on gender. It is an unhygienic and unaesthetic act," Enchev has told bTV.

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