State election regulators have issued a financial penalty against vice-presidential candidate Atanas Stefanov for using derogatory language targeting the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and LGBTQ+ individuals during a public media appearance, segabg.com reported. The Central Election Commission acted after reviewing a broadcast on BNT 1.
Central Election Commission Sanctions Vice-Presidential Candidate Over BNT Broadcast
The Electronic Media Council flagged Stefanov’s remarks made on the Bulgarian National Television program “The Day Begins” and submitted a formal signal to the Central Election Commission. Commissioners reviewed the recording and determined that the candidate’s statements constituted offensive and humiliating expressions. According to the regulatory findings, his remarks amounted to a call for the exclusion of a specific group of people from public and societal life based on their sexual orientation.
The commission evaluated Stefanov's comments regarding the patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as severe and discrediting assertions. Regulators stated that these remarks crossed the boundaries of permissible political expression during an electoral campaign. This conduct violated provisions of the Electoral Code that prohibit damaging good morals throughout the campaign period, prompting authorities to draw up an administrative violation act against the candidate.
Stefanov faces fines for electoral code violations
Under the relevant provisions of the Bulgarian Electoral Code, administrative violations of this nature carry financial penalties ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 levs. Stefanov faces this sanction following a similar punishment during the parliamentary elections held in April, when he ran as a candidate for parliamentary office. During that prior campaign, the Central Election Commission also penalized the leader of his political party, Ventsislav Angelov, for breaching moral standards.
Stefanov represents the Truth and Only the Truth People’s Party, a political entity that regularly participates in national ballots. On the most recent parliamentary vote, the party secured 4,392 votes, translating to 0.136% of the total vote share. Like other qualified contenders, the party utilizes state-funded media packages, which provide paid pre-election airtime across national broadcasting networks.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Electoral Sanction
What specific media platform broadcast the remarks?
The statements were broadcast on the national television channel BNT 1 during the program titled “The Day Begins,” prompting the Electronic Media Council to review the recording and notify election authorities.
How much is the financial penalty issued to Stefanov?
The administrative violation act carries a statutory fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 levs, as stipulated by the provisions of the Electoral Code governing campaign conduct.
How many votes did the Truth and Only the Truth People’s Party receive in the prior election?
The party secured 4,392 votes, which accounted for 0.136% of the ballots cast during the most recent parliamentary elections.
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