Even supporters of the PP MP reacted that this was too low
MP Yavor Bozhankov from “We continue the change” published a clip of the son of the vice-chairman of “Vazrazhdane” Tsoncho Ganev. On it, the young man can be seen dancing a rather uncoordinated chalga, which provoked a discussion on social networks about how appropriate it is to distribute such content.
“Tsoncho Ganev. A man from the “Vazrazhdane” party, aggressively minded, cultural expert, defender of Bulgaria and a fighter against the pink ponies,” wrote Bozhankov, and then asked how his colleague would react to his son’s “man’s dance”.
The video garnered angry comments even from supporters of Bozhankov. According to them, it is not right that children should be blamed for the actions of their parents and should not be involved in their scandals.
“What guilt does his son bear and what is so scandalous in this clip? And where is the joke?” asked one of the Facebook users.
Some of the comments were against the insinuations that Bozhankov makes about the behavior and sexual orientation of Ganev’s son. “It’s low ball to humiliate a young boy,” reads one of them.
Bozhankov claims that Ganev’s son is an “adult man”, but despite this, society continues to believe that publishing such a video is unethical, regardless of his age.
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Although some users are against the values of “Vazrazhdane”, they still think that Bozhankov has gone too far. “You are beginning to be in no way different from “Vazrazhdane”, commented some of the supporters of PP-DB.
Others are of the opinion that it is time for “Vazrazhdane” to try their own medicine because of the aggression they show towards the LGBT community. ”Not the most relevant post, but it will certainly make an impact given the level of opponents,” shared one user.
A few hours after the published video received a negative response, Bozhankov responded to the criticism with a new post. In it, however, he stated that he would not remove his previous post.
“When you campaign against vaccines, but your family is vaccinated – that speaks volumes.
When you speak against foreign NGOs, but your wife receives money from Western NGOs, it is also telling.
If you call Bulgarian citizens “foreign agents”, and your MP has been a candidate for programs of the “America for Bulgaria” foundation for years – this should be known.
If they define the West as “morally degraded”, but their children are in Western universities – that is important,” said Bozhankov.
“But there was also an accident with your child.” There was. And even though my son is a minor, I haven’t run out of answers. I answered to journalists, to investigative bodies. To everyone. I owe him. And I have no problem with that.
Tsoncho Ganev’s son is an adult man. When Ganev calls other Bulgarian citizens, including children like his son, “pink scum, pink ponies”, etc., I want to show that extreme homophobes simply have inner doubts. That’s enough,” he added.
“But you shouldn’t stoop to their level, we expect you to behave differently.” When the topic is different – I agree. But in this case, morality is also determined by who we are dealing with. We are dealing with people who attack artists,” commented the MP.
“They hit. They spit. They exercise violence. They are aggressive. With such people we cannot start from our own democratic standards and understandings. First they removed me from the rostrum of the National Assembly. The House of Europe was covered in red paint. They attacked citizens in front of a cinema. They are shouting at journalists on the air. They attacked and beat people in front of the theater. They made a list of Bulgarian teachers and called them foreign agents.”
We can never, under any circumstances, allow anyone to impose censorship. To determine who can vote and when. What can he speak from the podium. What questions will journalists ask. What plays to play, movies to watch and books to read,” he wrote.
“A while ago, the Revival party let in all sorts of psychopaths. They dealt with my deceased father. It’s good to remind them from time to time that they have families too. Not as revenge. Not for their own sake. But if you need a scoop of their poison let’s give them back a spoonful – so be it. If we have to fight with them, we will not allow ignorant cattle to bully our society.”
Under the new publication, Bozhankov mainly finds support. Many users agree with his arguments and believe that fire should be returned with fire.
“In normal countries, politicians do not hide their families and society judges by them what values they preach and whether they lie and are hypocrites,” wrote one of the users.
However, some of them remain of the opinion that it is not right to involve someone who was in no way committed to his father’s political position.
It is noteworthy that the video with the boy is from Bozhankov’s official, political profile. On his personal, this topic is missing or limited to a certain circle of people.
The drama between the two MPs has been going on for more than two years
In the last few parliaments, Yavor Bozhankov and Tsoncho Ganev have been constantly clashing with each other – not only verbally, but also physically.
Some of the most frequent accusations by Bozhankov against “Vazrazhdane” is that they are fascists.
One of the most tense moments between them was in June 2023. Then a speech by Bozhankov provoked Kostadin Kostadinov’s men, who blocked his way to the stand. And they threatened that he and Manol Peykov would no longer be allowed to speak. In the ensuing clash, both Bozhankov and Ganev (then deputy head of the parliament - note ed.) literally spat at each other. The “spark” of the scandal was again the two – Yavor Bozhankov called Tsoncho Ganev and Kostadin Kostadinov “soft wrists” in response to a declaration by “V
In the summer of last year, Bozhankov even filed a defamation case against Ganev – because he called him a “proven agent”.
Last year, Ganev’s son, Sylvester, was brought into parliamentary political attacks precisely by Bozhankov. The PP MP attacked his opponent because of an apartment bought by the young man. “Apparently Mr. Ganev has experience with real estate transactions. I’m talking about his son’s apartment, Sylvester I think his name was. We all know how this apartment was bought and Mr. Ganev has experience in these scams,” said Bozhankov.
In response, Ganev saw fixation in his family. “In the old building of the National Assembly, the person Bozhankov took the liberty of calling all control bodies to start an urgent investigation of Ganev, because you did something. Bozhankov’s pollution towards me and my family should be investigated and prosecuted. Instead of commenting on my family, the same for this person to come out and comment that there are videos of gay orgies in which he also participated,” Ganev shouted from the podium before his microphone was turned off.
Time.news Interview: The Politics of Personal Conflict in Bulgaria
Editor: Today, we’re delving into the fascinating and contentious dynamic between two Bulgarian MPs, Yavor Bozhankov of “We Continue the Change” and Tsoncho Ganev of “Vazrazhdane.” Joining us is Dr. Elena Stoyanova, a political analyst specializing in Eastern European politics. Dr. Stoyanova, welcome.
Dr. Stoyanova: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. The recent controversy began when Bozhankov posted a video of Ganev’s son dancing, leading to a significant backlash from both sides of the political spectrum. What do you make of this incident?
Dr. Stoyanova: It’s quite a telling incident, indeed. It showcases how personal and political conflicts can overlap. By featuring Ganev’s son in a video, Bozhankov was attempting to highlight the contradictions in Ganev’s public persona—particularly his aggressive political stance against certain social behaviors while his family is involved in those very contexts. However, this approach has raised ethical concerns about dragging children into political conflicts.
Editor: Yes, many users on social media expressed that targeting family members, especially children, is crossing a line. What does this say about political discourse in Bulgaria?
Dr. Stoyanova: It indicates a very polarized environment. While some might argue that politicians’ family members can be scrutinized to expose hypocrisy, many believe that children should be shielded from such political battles. This incident has opened a wider debate about accountability in political families while underscoring the need for ethical boundaries.
Editor: Bozhankov defends his actions, claiming that Ganev’s son is an adult and arguing that the public deserves to see the “truth” about someone who promotes certain values. Is this a valid defense?
Dr. Stoyanova: It’s a complicated defense. On one hand, there’s an argument to be made for transparency and accountability among public figures regarding their family and lifestyle choices. On the other, the nature of the attack—focusing on his son—shifts the narrative from ideological debates to personal attacks, which can reflect poorly on Bozhankov’s side as well.
Editor: Indeed, the discussion around this incident has sparked a larger conversation about the moral and ethical standards politicians should adhere to. How does this affect their public image?
Dr. Stoyanova: Politicians are often judged based on their character and how they conduct themselves. Bozhankov’s post, while perhaps meant to expose hypocrisy, could backfire if perceived as an attempt to humiliate a young man. Public image is fragile, especially in a politically charged environment, and actions that seem vindictive can alienate potential supporters.
Editor: Some commentators suggest that such tactics may bring a sort of poetic justice to Ganev’s party given their treatment of marginalized communities. What are your thoughts on the retaliation concept in political strategy?
Dr. Stoyanova: Retaliation can be a double-edged sword. While it can galvanize support from one’s base who may feel wronged or attacked, it could also lead to a cycle of negative campaigning that further erodes public trust. Ideally, political conflict should be about policies and ideologies, not personal attacks, but the reality seems to favor sensationalism right now.
Editor: Reflecting on the broader implications, how do you see this incident shaping future political strategies in Bulgaria?
Dr. Stoyanova: This incident could set a precedent. Political figures might feel empowered to adopt more aggressive strategies if they see that it generates engagement, albeit negative. However, it’s essential for the long-term health of Bulgaria’s political landscape to steer discussions back to substantive issues rather than personal grievances.
Editor: Fascinating insights, Dr. Stoyanova. As public discourse evolves, it will be interesting to see how politicians navigate the fine line between personal life and public accountability. Thank you for your analysis today.
Dr. Stoyanova: Thank you for having me. It’s a vital conversation, and I hope it contributes to a more constructive political environment.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Until next time, this is Time.news, illuminating the stories behind the headlines.