National Union Attack
Encyclopedia
The National Union Attack (Bulgarian
: Национален съюз Атака, Natsionalen sayuz "Ataka") is a nationalist political party
in Bulgaria
. At the last legislative elections
, 5 July 2009, it won 9.4% of the popular vote and 21 out of 240 seats. In the 2009 European Parliament elections
Attack won 12.0% of the vote, giving them two seats in the European Parliament
.
National Union Attack was formed by the National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland
(Natsionalno Dvizhenie za Spasenie na Otechestvoto), the Bulgarian National Patriotic Party
(Bǎlgarska Natsionalna-Patriotichna Partiya) and the Union of Patriotic Forces and Militaries of the Reserve Defense
(Sǎyuz na Patriotichnite Sili i Voinite ot Zapassa - Zashtita).
Led by TV host Volen Siderov
, the coalition was created just two months before the elections. Siderov first created a party with that name, but its registration was delayed by the court so it could not participate in the elections by itself.
The coalition's leaders have criticized Bulgaria's ethnic minorities for allegedly being too privileged, they have accused the entire Bulgarian political establishment of being corrupt, and are opposed to NATO, the Iraq War and closer ties with the USA. Although the coalition is not particularly against Bulgaria's European Union
membership, it has strongly demanded a revision of some of the previous agreements (e.g. the resolution on shutting down the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
near the Danube
).
The sudden success of Attack has been attributed as the main cause of the poor performance (31%) of the Bulgarian Socialist Party
, in the 2005 election.
Prominent figures in the Union Attack have included Ognyan Saparev, Rumen Vodenicharov and Stella Bankova (who left the party in 2006).
characteristics. Regardless, its members tend towards inflammatory comments that often lead to them being sidelined by other parties and criticized both at home and abroad.
A scandal was caused in 2006 by Attack's observer at the European Parliament
Dimitar Stoyanov
(who is also Volen Siderov's stepson). Stoyanov sent an email to all MEPs that appeared to belittle Roma women. The email said of Hungarian politician Lívia Járóka
, "In my country there are tens of thousands of Gypsy girls way more pretty than this honorable one... you may even buy one, around 12-13 years, to be your loving wife.".
Apologists later claimed the e-mail was not intended to spark a public relations nightmare. Instead, they claimed its purpose was to highlight the fact that young girls of Roma origin can be literally bought like cattle, despite the fact that this is a heavy crime which clearly violates Human Rights Legislation.
Another problematic incident occurred earlier in 2006 on the Trakia highway, where a car accident and a subsequent clash resulted in party leader Volen Siderov being charged with hooliganism
, perjury
and obstruction of justice. In 2008 Volen Siderov was acquitted on all charges.
in legislative work and in all important government decisions, as well as teaching of the Church's doctrine in primary school. The '20 Principles' envisage formulating a crime of 'national betrayal' and criminal prosecution of the 'national traitors'. Attack has so far called most of the present-day politicians, human rights and minority rights activists 'national traitors'. The '20 Principles' also envisage sanctions for defamation of the 'Bulgarian national sacraments' and for 'slurs' against Bulgaria. Anti-establishment and anti-Western slogans have been traditionally associated with the left in Bulgaria, and Attack is nearly universally understood as a far-right party, whether in media coverage, political platform, or allies in the European parliament. Attack members themselves have said that the movement is 'neither left, nor right but Bulgarian'.
Their policies have in particular included hard lines against immigration and Muslim minorities. In Bulgaria, all other parliamentary parties have stated that they would not form a coalition
with Attack, since they see it as a xenophobic group and a threat to Bulgarian ethnic minorities. Nevertheless the party managed to push through some of its policies after two years of support for the minority cabinet of PM Boyko Borisov
.
) and ahead of the former ruling party NDSV (National Movement for Simeon II) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
. On March 3, 2006, party leader Siderov called for a meeting to be held in Sofia
, and around 30,000 people came to hear speeches by him and other members of the party. During this rally Siderov declared "Bulgaria is not yet free. Bulgaria is still under Turkish rule". Party speakers protested against the ruling government in Bulgaria for forming an alliance with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
and allegedly ignoring ethnic Bulgarian interests. Earlier in 2006, Siderov organized a petition against a decision by the Bulgarian government to set up US military bases in Bulgaria. In October, he came second in the first round of the 2006 presidential election
, but lost in the second round after receiving around a quarter of the vote.
On March 3, 2009 Ataka organized a rally, attended by about 10,000, to celebrate the liberation of Bulgaria from "500 years of enslavement by the Ottomans". Some traditional political formations in Bulgaria have avoided contact and debate with the party - the party claim this is because "[they have] been scared from being involved in any debates with Ataka, as they know they would never win". SKAT TV
- a broadcaster broadly sympathetic to the party's view - have been subject to deletion from some cable TV providers in Bulgaria. Ataka claims this is a "pre-election trick by the government, in order to silence one of its main competitors in the election"; however, independent sources cite consumer complaints and hate speech as the reasons for the channel being dropped by some providers.
In the European Parliament elections
of June 7, 2009, the party's share was 12%. This placed them in fourth place, behind the ascending Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria
, the governing Coalition for Bulgaria
and the pro-minority Movement for Rights and Freedoms
. This gives them two European Parliament
seats out of Bulgaria's 17.
Bulgarian language
Bulgarian is an Indo-European language, a member of the Slavic linguistic group.Bulgarian, along with the closely related Macedonian language, demonstrates several linguistic characteristics that set it apart from all other Slavic languages such as the elimination of case declension, the...
: Национален съюз Атака, Natsionalen sayuz "Ataka") is a nationalist political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. At the last legislative elections
Elections in Bulgaria
Elections in Bulgaria gives information on election and election results in Bulgaria.Bulgaria elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people...
, 5 July 2009, it won 9.4% of the popular vote and 21 out of 240 seats. In the 2009 European Parliament elections
European Parliament election, 2009
Elections to the European Parliament were held in the 27 member states of the European Union between 4 and 7 June 2009. A total of 736 Members of the European Parliament were elected to represent some 500 million Europeans, making these the biggest trans-national elections in history...
Attack won 12.0% of the vote, giving them two seats in the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
.
National Union Attack was formed by the National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland
National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland
The National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland is a nationalist political party in Bulgaria. It is part of the Union Attack, that won at the last legislative elections, 25 June 2005, 9.0 % of the popular vote and 21 out of 240 seats....
(Natsionalno Dvizhenie za Spasenie na Otechestvoto), the Bulgarian National Patriotic Party
Bulgarian National Patriotic Party
The Bulgarian National-Patriotic Party is a nationalist political party in Bulgaria. It is part of the Union Attack, that won at the last legislative elections, 25 June 2005, 9.0 % of the popular vote and 22 out of 240 seats....
(Bǎlgarska Natsionalna-Patriotichna Partiya) and the Union of Patriotic Forces and Militaries of the Reserve Defense
Union of Patriotic Forces and Militaries of the Reserve Defense
The Union of Patriotic Forces and Militaries of the Reserve Zashtita is a nationalist political party in Bulgaria. It is part of the Union Attack, which won 9.0 % of the popular vote and 22 out of 240 seats during the June 25, 2005 legislative elections....
(Sǎyuz na Patriotichnite Sili i Voinite ot Zapassa - Zashtita).
Led by TV host Volen Siderov
Volen Siderov
Volen Nikolov Siderov is a Bulgarian politician and chairman of the nationalist party Attack. He is famous for his hard-line attitude towards minorities in Bulgaria, especially Roma and Turks.-Early life:...
, the coalition was created just two months before the elections. Siderov first created a party with that name, but its registration was delayed by the court so it could not participate in the elections by itself.
The coalition's leaders have criticized Bulgaria's ethnic minorities for allegedly being too privileged, they have accused the entire Bulgarian political establishment of being corrupt, and are opposed to NATO, the Iraq War and closer ties with the USA. Although the coalition is not particularly against Bulgaria's European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
membership, it has strongly demanded a revision of some of the previous agreements (e.g. the resolution on shutting down the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant
The Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria situated north of Sofia and east of Kozloduy, a town on the Danube river, near the border with Romania. It is the country's only nuclear power plant and the largest in the region...
near the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
).
The sudden success of Attack has been attributed as the main cause of the poor performance (31%) of the Bulgarian Socialist Party
Bulgarian Socialist Party
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is social-democratic political party in Bulgaria and successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The BSP is a member of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International, and is currently led by Sergei Stanishev....
, in the 2005 election.
Prominent figures in the Union Attack have included Ognyan Saparev, Rumen Vodenicharov and Stella Bankova (who left the party in 2006).
Controversy
The party has been subjected to much criticism in the media. This has included allegations that it is a xenophobic, anti-European and fascist movement, although its supporters prefer to define it as patriotic. Some of these allegations are better founded than others: for example the party's platform does not strictly include the fascistFascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
characteristics. Regardless, its members tend towards inflammatory comments that often lead to them being sidelined by other parties and criticized both at home and abroad.
A scandal was caused in 2006 by Attack's observer at the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
Dimitar Stoyanov
Dimitar Stoyanov (politician)
Dimitar Kinov Stoyanov is a Bulgarian and EU politician.While still a student of Law at Sofia University, Dimitar Stoyanov joined the National Union Attack party headed by Volen Siderov. Stoyanov was elected in 2005 as the youngest member of the National Assembly of Bulgaria on the list of the...
(who is also Volen Siderov's stepson). Stoyanov sent an email to all MEPs that appeared to belittle Roma women. The email said of Hungarian politician Lívia Járóka
Lívia Járóka
Lívia Járóka is a Hungarian politician of Romani ethnicity. She is a Member of the European Parliament, elected as part of the Fidesz list in 2004...
, "In my country there are tens of thousands of Gypsy girls way more pretty than this honorable one... you may even buy one, around 12-13 years, to be your loving wife.".
Apologists later claimed the e-mail was not intended to spark a public relations nightmare. Instead, they claimed its purpose was to highlight the fact that young girls of Roma origin can be literally bought like cattle, despite the fact that this is a heavy crime which clearly violates Human Rights Legislation.
Another problematic incident occurred earlier in 2006 on the Trakia highway, where a car accident and a subsequent clash resulted in party leader Volen Siderov being charged with hooliganism
Hooliganism
Hooliganism refers to unruly, destructive, aggressive and bullying behaviour. Such behaviour is commonly associated with sports fans. The term can also apply to general rowdy behaviour and vandalism, often under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs....
, perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
and obstruction of justice. In 2008 Volen Siderov was acquitted on all charges.
Ideology
The party's two program documents, the '20 Principles' and the 'Program Scheme' feature a number of nationalistic characteristics. They define Bulgaria as a one-nation state and assert the supremacy of the state and the 'Bulgarian nation' above ethnic and religious diversity, but at the same time want to have an official religion and participation of the Bulgarian Orthodox ChurchBulgarian Orthodox Church
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church with some 6.5 million members in the Republic of Bulgaria and between 1.5 and 2.0 million members in a number of European countries, the Americas and Australia...
in legislative work and in all important government decisions, as well as teaching of the Church's doctrine in primary school. The '20 Principles' envisage formulating a crime of 'national betrayal' and criminal prosecution of the 'national traitors'. Attack has so far called most of the present-day politicians, human rights and minority rights activists 'national traitors'. The '20 Principles' also envisage sanctions for defamation of the 'Bulgarian national sacraments' and for 'slurs' against Bulgaria. Anti-establishment and anti-Western slogans have been traditionally associated with the left in Bulgaria, and Attack is nearly universally understood as a far-right party, whether in media coverage, political platform, or allies in the European parliament. Attack members themselves have said that the movement is 'neither left, nor right but Bulgarian'.
Their policies have in particular included hard lines against immigration and Muslim minorities. In Bulgaria, all other parliamentary parties have stated that they would not form a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
with Attack, since they see it as a xenophobic group and a threat to Bulgarian ethnic minorities. Nevertheless the party managed to push through some of its policies after two years of support for the minority cabinet of PM Boyko Borisov
Boyko Borisov
Boyko Metodiev Borisov is a Bulgarian politician who has been Prime Minister of Bulgaria since July 2009. Previously he was Mayor of Sofia from 8 November 2005 until his election as Prime Minister....
.
Political activity
Opinion survey results from March 2006 showed a significant increase in support for Attack. It ranked second after the BSP (Bulgarian Socialist PartyBulgarian Socialist Party
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is social-democratic political party in Bulgaria and successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The BSP is a member of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International, and is currently led by Sergei Stanishev....
) and ahead of the former ruling party NDSV (National Movement for Simeon II) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms is an ethnic Turkish party in Bulgaria. The MRF is a member of the Liberal International and considers itself a liberal party, rather like the Swedish People's Party - party of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland...
. On March 3, 2006, party leader Siderov called for a meeting to be held in Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, and around 30,000 people came to hear speeches by him and other members of the party. During this rally Siderov declared "Bulgaria is not yet free. Bulgaria is still under Turkish rule". Party speakers protested against the ruling government in Bulgaria for forming an alliance with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms is an ethnic Turkish party in Bulgaria. The MRF is a member of the Liberal International and considers itself a liberal party, rather like the Swedish People's Party - party of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland...
and allegedly ignoring ethnic Bulgarian interests. Earlier in 2006, Siderov organized a petition against a decision by the Bulgarian government to set up US military bases in Bulgaria. In October, he came second in the first round of the 2006 presidential election
Bulgarian presidential election, 2006
The 2006 Bulgarian presidential election was held on 22 October 2006, as decided on 27 July 2006 by the Bulgarian Parliament. The runoff took place on 29 October 2006, while the electoral campaign spanned 19 September–20 October...
, but lost in the second round after receiving around a quarter of the vote.
On March 3, 2009 Ataka organized a rally, attended by about 10,000, to celebrate the liberation of Bulgaria from "500 years of enslavement by the Ottomans". Some traditional political formations in Bulgaria have avoided contact and debate with the party - the party claim this is because "[they have] been scared from being involved in any debates with Ataka, as they know they would never win". SKAT TV
Skat television (Bulgaria)
Skat Television is a Bulgarian national cable television company. The company was founded in 1992 in Burgas and is headquartered there. Skat is also the name for one of the channels which Skat television operates from the Bulgarian capital city Sofia....
- a broadcaster broadly sympathetic to the party's view - have been subject to deletion from some cable TV providers in Bulgaria. Ataka claims this is a "pre-election trick by the government, in order to silence one of its main competitors in the election"; however, independent sources cite consumer complaints and hate speech as the reasons for the channel being dropped by some providers.
In the European Parliament elections
European Parliament election, 2009 (Bulgaria)
The European Parliament election of 2009 in Bulgaria was held on Sunday 7 June 2009 and was the election of the delegation from Bulgaria to the European Parliament. As a result of the Treaty of Nice - that became active in November 2004 - the number of Bulgarian delegates in the European Parliament...
of June 7, 2009, the party's share was 12%. This placed them in fourth place, behind the ascending Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria , abbreviated GERB , is a Bulgarian centre-right political party established on March 13 2006. It has been Bulgaria's ruling party since 2009....
, the governing Coalition for Bulgaria
Coalition for Bulgaria
The Coalition for Bulgaria is a centre-left electoral alliance in Bulgaria, led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party.-Members of the coalition:2001 / 2005 *Bulgarian Socialist Party ....
and the pro-minority Movement for Rights and Freedoms
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms is an ethnic Turkish party in Bulgaria. The MRF is a member of the Liberal International and considers itself a liberal party, rather like the Swedish People's Party - party of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland...
. This gives them two European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
seats out of Bulgaria's 17.
National Assembly
| Election | # of seats won | # of total votes | % of popular vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2005 - Elections were held on June 25, 2005, for the 240 members of the National Assembly. According to exit polls, the Leftist Coalition for Bulgaria had a lead with around 31%, but without a majority, necessitating the creation of a coalition. The National... |
21 | 296,848 | 8.1% |
| 2009 Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2009 Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 5 July 2009. The decisive winner of the elections was Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, led by Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov... |
21 | 395,733 | 9.4% |
Presidental
| Election | # of total votes (1st round) | % of popular vote (1st round) | # of total votes (2nd round) | % of popular vote (2nd round) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Bulgarian presidential election, 2006 The 2006 Bulgarian presidential election was held on 22 October 2006, as decided on 27 July 2006 by the Bulgarian Parliament. The runoff took place on 29 October 2006, while the electoral campaign spanned 19 September–20 October... |
597,175 | 21.5% | 649,387 | 24.1% |
| 2011 Bulgarian presidential election, 2011 A presidential election was held in Bulgaria on 23 October 2011, with a runoff held on 30 October 2011. No candidate won outright in the first round, resulting in a second round runoff between the eventual winner, Rosen Plevneliev of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, and Ivaylo Kalfin... |
122,466 | 3.7% |
European Parliament
| Election | # of seats won | # of total votes | % of popular vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 European Parliament election, 2007 (Bulgaria) Bulgaria elected its members of the European Parliament in a by-election on 20 May 2007. It was the country's first European election, having joined the Union on 1 January of that year. The country now has 18 MEPs, no change from before the election. Previously Bulgaria was represented by MEPs... |
3 | 275,237 | 14.2% |
| 2009 European Parliament election, 2009 (Bulgaria) The European Parliament election of 2009 in Bulgaria was held on Sunday 7 June 2009 and was the election of the delegation from Bulgaria to the European Parliament. As a result of the Treaty of Nice - that became active in November 2004 - the number of Bulgarian delegates in the European Parliament... |
2 | 308,052 | 12.0% |