Wikipedia

Velichie

Velichie (Bulgarian: Величие, lit. 'Greatness')[5] is a Bulgarian political party founded in 2023, with strong connections to the Bulgarian businessman, Ivelin Mihaylov.[6] The party has a strong position in the Vetrino Municipality and received parliamentary representation following the June 2024 Bulgarian parliamentary election.

Greatness
Величие
ChairwomanAlbena Pekova[1]
FounderIvelin Mikhailov [bg]
Founded25 July 2023 (2023-07-25)[2]
HeadquartersStarata Banya building, Vitosha street, Vetrino, Vetrino Municipality, Varna Province
Paramilitary wingBulgarski Yunak (alleged)
IdeologyBulgarian nationalism[3]
Populism[3]
Political positionFar-right[4]
Colors  Red
Slogan"From the ashes to the sun!"
(Bulgarian: "От пепелта към слънцето!")
National Assembly
0 / 240
European Parliament
0 / 17
Website
velichie.bg

Following the October snap election, the party won 3.999% of the vote, falling short of just 21 votes of the 4% threshold required to gain representation in the 51-st National Assembly.[7]

History

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Origin

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The Velichie party was founded in Summer 2023 in the Vetrino municipality. It has been reported that the founder was Ivelin Mihaylov.[8] In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Mihaylov recounted that the party was founded by Vetrino locals in response to plans to build a wind-energy production site in the municipality.[9]

The party contested the 2023 Bulgarian local elections, where they gained 40.51% of the votes in Vetrino.[10]

Nikolay Markov

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In 2024, the party began an association with Nikolay Markov [bg], who was often called the party's leader, despite not legally being so.[11] Markov, a National Guard Service veteran, got the nickname "the colonel" in media publications. He left the Service in 2007 after a scandal with then-president Georgi Parvanov, whom he accused of abusing power.[12] After that, Markov has appeared in some media as an expert on national security and counterterrorism.[13][14]

June 2024 elections

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In April 2024, Markov announced that the party would participate in the snap parliamentary election and in the European Parliament election.[15] The party's regional list leader in Sofia was Viktoria Vassileva, a former member of the National Assembly from Union of Democratic Forces and There is Such a People.[16]

Despite not appearing in most opinion polls, the Velichie party passed the 4% electoral threshold for the parliamentary election and gained 13 seats in the National Assembly.[5] On election day, the party leadership seemed to allude that the vote had been rigged against the party.[17] Additionally, they attacked sociological agencies for what they perceived to be an intentional omission of the party from opinion polls.[18] The party did not win any representation in the European election on the same day, receiving 4% of the vote.

Parliamentary activity

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The Velichie party had 13 seats at the start of the 50th National Assembly, with Nikolay Markov, being selected as the chair of the Parliamentary Group.

Prior to the convention of the National Assembly, Markov did not deny the possibility of Velichie negotiating with GERB, however, clarified that they would only negotiate with GERB leader, Boyko Borisov.[19] Ultimately, the party did not attend the meeting organised by the GERB negotiation team on 18 June.

During the first session of the National Assembly, the Velichie Parliamentary Group nominated its own candidates for the position of Speaker, although both candidacies failed to gather support outside of the grouping.[20] During the first session, Nikolay Markov, the chief of the Parliamentary Grouping, came late, with it later being alleged by Velichie MP, Darin Georgiev, that the reason for Markov's lateness was due to attempts at blackmail by GERB.[21] Markov, in the days following, seemed to confirm the allegations, stating that a contact group representing "three political parties" had threatened to release an audio-tape implicating himself and the party's founder, Ivelin Mihaylov, if Velichie did not give political support to GERB.[22]

On 21 June, during a vote for who should chair the commission responsible for preparing the rulebook, the Velichie group voted together with GERB and DPS, thus assuring a majority for the GERB nominee, Anna Aleksandrova.[23] In the aftermath of this vote, the parties founder, Ivelin Mihaylov, alleged that there was a possibility of a division within the parliamentary group, with 5-6 MPs potentially being aligned with GERB.[24] Mihaylov's comments provoked an angry reaction from the leader of the Parliamentary Group, Markov, who accused him of undermining his authority and harming the reputation of the party.[25] Mihaylov backed down from his comment following Markov's statement, apologised to the MPs and emphasised his confidence in their abilities.[26]

On 26 June, the parties representatives attended consultations with President Radev, during which they made clear their support for a government based on a clear program, and stated that they would not support a GERB-led government due to a lack of communication from the largest party.[27]

On 1 July, shortly after the nomination of Rosen Zhelyazkov as GERB's PM candidate, a message was published on the social media platform, X from the account of Ivelin Mihaylov, calling on Velichie MPs to vote in favour of the proposed government.[28] In a message on Facebook, he clarified that his account on X was hacked and that his position that Velichie should vote against a government proposed by GERB had not changed.[29]

Later that day, Mihaylov published a series of claims on Facebook alleging that Nikolay Markov and a group of MPs aligned with him (specifically, Viktoria Vasileva) had threatened him, and planned to vote in favour of the proposed GERB cabinet.[30] On 2 July, he published an address to Velichie supporters in which he expanded on his allegations against Markov, claiming that Markov had reached a deal with GERB and had attempted to side-line Mihaylov within the party, even promising to alleviate legal pressure against him in exchange for his political disengagement.[31] The address was joined by Velichie MP, Krasimira Kantincharova, who supported Mihaylov's claims that Markov and Vasileva had attempted to assert control over parties the parliamentary group for their own personal ends.[31]

On 3 July, Markov made a Facebook post in which he officially disassociated himself from the party, and further claimed that it was a political vehicle for Mihaylov's economic interests.[32]

Despite the allegations brought forth by Mihaylov, the entirety of the Velichie Parliamentary Group was present and voted against the nomination of Rosen Zhelyazkov for PM.[33]

Speaking to the parties supporters in Razgrad shortly after the vote, Mihaylov informed them that a vote was scheduled for 4 July to expel Markov and Vasileva from the Parliamentary Group.[34] Additionally, he continued his prior accusations against Markov, for instance accusing him of threatening 5 female MPs within the group.[34] After Mihaylov's statement, the Central Council of Velichie formally requested that Markov and Vasileva leave the Parliamentary Group of the party.[35]

In a statement to the media on 4 July, Markov claimed that the rift between him and Mihaylov had originated due to Mihaylov's insistence that the Velichie group cooperate with Revival.[36] He further underlined Mihaylov's outsized influence within the party, considering he was not part of the leadership.[36] Ultimately, however, Markov indicated that he was open to leaving the parliamentary group, due to the presence of MPs within it who he alleged were controlled by Mihaylov through financial coercion.[36]

On 5 July, 6 MPs from the Velichie Parliamentary Group officially announced their intention to leave it, thus dissolving the group.[37] The MPs, in a briefing to the press, justified their decision due to a loss of confidence in the Parliamentary Group leadership.[38] Specifically, the MPs cited a lack of communication from Markov about key topics, such as the parties stance in government negotiations, as well as Markov's social media statements in which he officially disavowed the party.[38] The MPs claimed that they had attempted to remove the current leadership, however their efforts proved unsuccessful due to obstruction by the leadership.[38]

Markov claimed that the group of MPs who had left were beholden to Mihaylov financially.[39] He also claimed that Mihaylov had attempted to intimidate Velichie MPs, recounting that he had locked a group of MPs in his barn and demanded they vote in favour of certain laws.[39] Another Velichie MP, Darin Georgiev, corroborated Markov's allegation that Mihaylov had locked a group of Velichie MPs, in his barn against their will.[40] He further opined that the dissolution of the group meant the end of the political party, although he did not exclude future political cooperation with those MPs who had "not betrayed the ideals of Velichie".[40]

Despite Georgiev's claim, Mihaylov announced that Velichie would continue its political activity and contest future elections, albeit with new candidate-MPs.[41]

October 2024 parliamentary election

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Velichie ran alone in the October 2024 Bulgarian parliamentary election. It opened its electoral campaign in the town of Troyan, with founder Ivelin Mihaylov claiming that Velichie's program will be focused on creating a long-term plan for Bulgaria's development.[42]

During the campaign period, the party office of Velichie in Varna was burned by unknown assailants.[43] In a video on facebook, party founder and candidate, Ivelin Mihaylov, implied that the assailants might be connected to GERB and may have done it due to Mihaylov's revelation of alleged vote buying schemes in Varna.[43]

Following the publication of the provisional final results from the electoral commission, Velichie were shown as being just below the 4% threshold to enter parliament, receiving 3.99%.[44] In a number of publications on the party's Facebook page and by party candidates, it was implied that the percentage received by Velichie was intentionally lowered by the Central Electoral Commission, under pressure from external actors, in order to prevent Velichie from entering parliament.[44][45]

In an adress on the party-affiliated news channel, Free Voice, Ivelin Mihaylov claimed that the election had been "stolen", both due to alleged mass vote buying and manipulations of the voting process at the local level.[46] However, he discounted the possibility of organising mass protests or other civil actions to contest the result.[46] Instead, he called on Velichie supporters to actively join the party, build up its local structures and create a non-state governance structure in order to demonstrate the success of Velichie's approach in lieu of the next election.[46]

On 29 October, Mihaylov published a new address on his Facebook page, in which he announced that Velichie intended to organise a protest campaign in order to call for the annulment of the October elections due to alleged large scale irregularities.[47] He specifically called for a protest in the government-quarter of Sofia on the evening of the 31st of October.[47] Besides protests, he stated that Velichie intended to legally challenge the election results and seek support from European, as well as international, institutions.[47]

Shortly before the protest took place, the CEC officially confirmed that Velichie had not crossed the 4% threshold.[48]

In a press briefing on 1 November, Velichie officially announced that they did not recognize the finalised election results and called for new elections to be held immediately.[49] At these new elections, Velichie promised to gather at least 13,000 observers to "prevent voter manipulation".[49]

Velichie organised a protest outside the National Assembly prior to the opening session in order to call for the annulment of the elections.[50]

Ideology

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According to Nikolay Markov, the main goals of the party are to promote Bulgarian investments in the country, accelerate the completion of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant and bring the fight against organized crime in the country to the European level. Markov also pointed out the prevention of Bulgaria's participation in the military conflict in Ukraine, suspending the legal possibilities of such military intervention.[51]

Bulgarian media call Velichie a Russophile and anti-Western party,[8][52] competing with Revival in this field.[6][53] Velichie has denied claims of being pro-Russian or of being opposed to Bulgaria's membership in NATO and the EU.[54]

Controversies

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Allegations of connections with a para-military organisation

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Some media outlets have alleged that Velichie has its own paramilitary organization, called "Bulgarski Yunak" (lit. 'Bulgarian Hero'), which is registered as a sports club.[16] The organization provides military training including "urban survival" and "building capture and retreat with covering fire."[16] However, party figures have denied this allegation.[55]

Election results

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National Assembly

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Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Status
Jun 2024 Albena Pekova 99,862 4.52 (#7)
13 / 240
 New Snap election
Oct 2024 97,438 3.999 (#8)
0 / 240
   13 Extra-parliamentary

European Parliament

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Election List leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
2024 Nikolay Markov 81,955 4.07 (#7)
0 / 17
 New –

References

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  1. ^ "Председател: Албена Георгиева Пекова".
  2. ^ "Регистър на политическите партии". sgs.justice.bg.
  3. ^ a b "Controversy surrounds Bulgarian Parliament's new-entrant party". Sofia Globe. 12 June 2024.
  4. ^ Nikolov, Krassen (11 June 2024). "New far-right pro-Russian party enters Bulgarian parliament, at odds with similar parties". Euractiv. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b "The woman from the small party Greatness: wherever she goes, she leads some 60 thousand votes". Fakti.bg - Да извадим фактите наяве (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  6. ^ a b "Откъде се появи партия "Величие"". Svobodna Evropa (in Bulgarian). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  7. ^ "ЦИК".
  8. ^ a b България, Булевард (2024-04-10). "Нова партия се устреми към русофилския вот, начело с Ивелин Михайлов и Николай Марков". boulevardbulgaria.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  9. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов и Полковника. Кой цепи "Величие"". Youtube (in Bulgarian). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  10. ^ "Коя е партията "Величие" и откъде изгря новата "патриотична" звезда?". clubz.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  11. ^ "Narod.bg отново в десетката: Полк. Николай Марков е новият лидер на партия "Величие"". Narod.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  12. ^ news.bg (2007-07-03). "Първанов изненада бивш гард от НСО". News.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  13. ^ "Новата партия на Николай Марков краде гласове от "Възраждане"". Narod.bg. 1 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Сутрешните новини от Пловдив, Пазарджик и Смолян на 24.04.2024 г." darik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  15. ^ "Полк. Николай Марков: ПП "Величие" ще участва на изборите за НС и ЕП". darik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  16. ^ a b c "Нови националисти. Коя е партия "Величие", която може да е седмата сила в парламента". SvobodnaEvropa.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  17. ^ "Официално изявление!". Facebook Nikolay Markov (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  18. ^ "Полк. Николай Марков убеден: "Величие" са над чертата". Dnes.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  19. ^ "Николай Марков: След като г-н Борисов има най-голямата подкрепа в България, аз съм длъжен да го изслушам и след това да взема решение". BTV.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  20. ^ ""Величие" няма да подкрепи Назарян, ще предложи Юлиана Матеева за председател". 24Chasa.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  21. ^ "Депутат: Бойко Борисов е виновен Николай Марков от "Величие" да закъснее за клетвата". ClubZ.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  22. ^ "Марков от Величие твърди, че му показали компромати, за да подкрепи Назарян и кабинета". Offnews.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  23. ^ ""Величие" гласува заедно с ГЕРБ и ДПС". Mediapool.Bg (in Bulgarian). 21 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  24. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов: "Величие" се цепи, 5-6 депутати може да се разделят с групата". Glasove.Bg (in Bulgarian). 22 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  25. ^ "Нова драма във "Величие": Николай Марков скочи на Ивелин Михайлов СНИМКИ". Blitz.Bg (in Bulgarian). 26 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  26. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов се извини на Николай Марков и депутатите от "Величие": Имате пълната ми подкрепа". Trud.Bg (in Bulgarian). 8 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  27. ^ ""Величие" на първите си консултации при президента: Ние сме за програмно правителство". Dariknews.Bg (in Bulgarian). 26 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  28. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов: Ще препоръчам на "Величие" да подкрепи кабинета на Росен Желязков". Zonanews.Bg (in Bulgarian). July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  29. ^ "Хакнат профил, после заплахи: Премеждията на Ивелин Михайлов и "Величие" преди вота на кабинета "Желязков"". Mediapool.Bg (in Bulgarian). July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  30. ^ "Нов скандал разтресе "Величие". Ивелин Михайлов хвърли бомба". StandartNews.Bg (in Bulgarian). July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  31. ^ a b "Ивелин Михайлов: Николай Марков ми каза, че ни дават министри (Видео)". 24chasa.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  32. ^ "Николай Марков: "Величие" е само и единствено господин Ивелин Михайлов". Bulnews.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  33. ^ "Дарин Георгиев: "Величие" ще гласува против кабинета "Желязков"". Vesti.Bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  34. ^ a b "Ивелин Михайлов: Марков и Василева вън или се цепим. Полковникът заплаши с убийство 5 жени от Величие". Offnews.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  35. ^ "След извънредно заседание: "Величие" иска оставката на Николай Марков и Виктория Василева". Petel.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  36. ^ a b c "Николай Марков каза, че Ивелин Михайлов е искал "Величие" да гласува с "Възраждане"". BTA.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  37. ^ "Краят на една новоизгряла партия: "Величие" в парламента се разпадна". Darik News.bg (in Bulgarian). 5 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  38. ^ a b c "Красимира Катинчарова коментира разпада на "Величие"". Vesti.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  39. ^ a b "Марков: Ивелин Михайлов заключи в хамбар депутатите на "Величие", защото гласуваха по определен начин". Nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  40. ^ a b "Дарин Георгиев: Това е краят на политическа партия "Величие"". Nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  41. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов: ГЕРБ притискаха депутати от "Величие"". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  42. ^ "„Величие" откри предизборната си кампания в Троян". Nova (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  43. ^ a b "Запалиха офиса на "Величие" във Варна". Nova (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  44. ^ a b "С 3,999% „Величие" остана извън новия парламент, Ивелин Михайлов с първа реакция". Nova (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  45. ^ "Катинчарова: Нарочно се бави резултатът на Величие с цел да не влезем (видео)". offnews (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  46. ^ a b c "Ивелин Михайлов с първа реакция, след като стана ясно, че „Величие" е извън 51-ото НС". BTV (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  47. ^ a b c ""Величие" ще иска касиране на изборните резултати и вдига протест в София в четвъртък". mediapool (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  48. ^ ""Величие" на протест пред ЦИК с искане за касиране на изборите". Boulevard Bulgaria (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  49. ^ a b ""Величие" искат нови избори и събират доказателства и подкрепа за касация". News.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  50. ^ ""Величие" излезе на втори протест за деня". BgOnAir.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  51. ^ "Николай Марков: "Величие" е единственият политически субект в страната със стратегически план за следващите 100 години (ВИДЕО)". Safe News. 16 May 2024.
  52. ^ "ПП "Величие"- НОС "Активна демокрция" – Активна демокрация". uraa.eu. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  53. ^ Иванов, Александър (2024-04-27). ""Възраждане" срещу "Величие", войната започна". РТВ "Истина и Свобода" (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  54. ^ "Не сме проруска партия, а пробългарска, заяви лидерът на "Величие" Николай Марков". Trud.Bg (in Bulgarian). 8 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  55. ^ "Ивелин Михайлов от "Величие" коментира дали има частна армия и готви ли отцепване на независима република". DarikNews.bg (in Bulgarian). 10 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-05.


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