site.btaUPDATED CC-DB Blames Interior Minister Mitov for Tensions at Protest, Calls on Him to Resign

Following the tensions that erupted late on Monday night during the large-scale protest against the 2026 State Budget Bill in downtown Sofia, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria called on Interior Minister Daniel Mitov to resign for failing to contain the situation.

Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev told BTA that Mitov had allowed police officers to be beaten after what started as a peaceful protest. "His resignation must be submitted tonight,” he said.

According to him, the protest went peacefully, but afterwards provocateurs appeared and clashes with the police ensued. 

"There were agitator groups everywhere; this was a total disgrace [for the Interior Ministry]," Assen Vassilev stated.

He blamed MRF - New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski for plotting the clashes. "We know very well who organized these agitator groups: Peevski did," he added.

He also said that if this government does not leave peacefully, there will be many more protests.

MP Ivaylo Mirchev told Nova TV that the reason for their call for the Minister's resignation was the police’s inadequate response during the protest. According to him, law enforcement failed to secure the perimeter in any meaningful way. He also pointed out that there was no electricity along a large part of the protest march route.

“I had to call Minister Mitov to urge him to deploy the police; I had to call Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and [GERB leader Boyko] Borissov,” he said.

“The most basic thing the police should do is respond adequately,” Mirchev said. “The police actions were not adequate, and we hold the Interior Minister responsible. We organized a peaceful protest, and we thank those Bulgarians who came with their children,” Mirchev added.

Mirchev was adamant that the situation amounted to a premeditated provocation aimed at blaming the protesters for any acts of vandalism.