site.btaUPDATED Velichie Leader’s Anti-Catholic Slur Sparks Parliamentary Clash

A recent parliamentary debate escalated into a heated verbal exchange between MP Mladen Shishkov (GERB-UDF) and Ivelin Mihaylov, leader of the Velichie political party, after the latter suggested that Bulgaria’s Catholic community are inclined to lie.

During the National Assembly’s sitting on Thursday, Shishkov raised concerns over an illegal landfill allegedly located near the Historical Park tourist attraction in Northeastern Bulgaria. Shishkov claimed the landfill was “the work of Mihaylov himself”. In a Facebook post, Shishkov recalled that Mihaylov had previously admitted from the parliamentary rostrum that the landfill existed, vowing to clean it up and pay any resulting fines.

In response, Mihaylov released a video on social media accusing Shishkov of lying. However, Shishkov countered that Mihaylov had not clarified what part of his statement was allegedly false. In the video, Mihaylov also made a controversial comment: “Are you Catholics there in [the town of] Rakovski? We Orthodox don’t lie like that.”

Rakovski is home to a large Catholic community, and Shishkov was born and lives there, and chaired its Municipal Council before getting elected to Parliament.

On Thursday, Shishkov delivered a formal declaration in Parliament on behalf of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group. “Catholics in Bulgaria are a small but very close-knit community,” he said. “The people of Rakovski are hard-working, honest, and disciplined. They are devout and hold strong family values. To label an entire community as liars is a new low in Bulgarian politics.”

Shishkov went on to emphasize Bulgaria’s tradition of religious tolerance: “We have never divided people by faith – Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Armenians, Jews, Protestants, or Buddhists. We even respect those who say they believe in Tangra, as you yourself have claimed. We live in harmony with all communities and religions.”

“Mr. Mihaylov, today you have once again damaged the dignity of our nation,” Shishkov concluded.

Speaking to reporters later on Thursday, Ivelin Mihaylov said that his words were taken out of context.