site.btaMRF-New Beginning Leader Peevski Blames Clashes between Protesters and Police on President Radev

“[President Rumen] Radev has revealed his true face! We will not allow anarchy and chaos to overtake Bulgaria,” says a post on the MRF Press Center’s Facebook page, quoting the party leader and Floor Leader, Delyan Peevski, who commented the nationwide protests against the 2026 State Budget Bill, which led to clashes between protesters and police in front of the headquarters of Peevski's party.

Protesters could be heard chanting slogans against Peevski, who has been sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act for alleged corruption, as well as for the government to resign. 

“Rumen Radev — the real organizer of the riots, arson, and chaos — has revealed his face! Is this what you want for Bulgaria, Mr. Radev? Chaos, disorder, lawlessness, and anarchy? What is the price — the country’s democracy and peace?” the post reads.
“You and Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria used young people! And they will not forgive you for that,” Peevski continues. “The escalation, provoked by your fan groups, organized and led by your associates Koprinkov, Uzunov, and oligarch allies, is driving the country toward anarchy,” he says.

“And all this just to trigger elections and seize power through bloodshed!?” the post continues.

“You will get none of this by trampling over the people — they will not allow it,” Peevski writes. “And we in the MRF will not be broken by your aggression! With all democratic means, we will defend the rights of all Bulgarian citizens — and their right to a free and democratic elections! And we will not abandon this responsibility,” the Facebook post concludes.

President Radev wrote on Facebook earlier in the evening that this is not a clash between police and protesters, but a provocation by the mafia aimed at pitting them against each other. According to him, the only way out is the government’s resignation and early elections.

 In 2021, Delyan Peevski was designated by the United States under the Global Magnitsky Act for corruption and influence peddling. He is challenging the designation in a US court, with his lawyers arguing that there is no evidence of wrongdoing. In 2023, the United Kingdom also sanctioned Peevski for his alleged involvement “in attempts to exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society through bribery and the use of his media empire.”