At a press conference in the National Assembly, MP Stanislav Balabanov of ITN has demanded the resignation of Caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov and the Director of the National Theater Vasil Vassilev following a protest that occurred the previous night. Balabanov expressed dissatisfaction with the law enforcement's handling of the security situation during the protest, highlighting their failure to effectively manage the events. Additionally, he criticized the National Theater director's choice of November 7 for a performance, deeming it inappropriate due to its historical significance related to a significant battle in Bulgarian history.
In response to the protest at the National Theater, Toshko Yordanov from ITN emphasized the right of people to protest while also cautioning against using political motives disguised as artistic expression. Yordanov stressed the importance of the National Theater, as a state-owned institution, in upholding the national consciousness of Bulgarians, implying that the director's decision-making should reflect this responsibility. Regarding the specific play scheduled for November 7, which depicts a historical battle where Bulgarians are portrayed as "cowards," Yordanov highlighted the potential negative impact on the perception of Bulgarian history and unity if such interpretations were endorsed.
In the aftermath of the clashes at the National Theater, the prosecutor's office has indicated its intent to take action based on footage showing attempts by protesters to storm the theater. This development suggests a legal response to the events that transpired during the protest, indicating a potential investigation into the actions and motivations of those involved in the altercation.