Bulgaria's Ultra-Right

Bulgaria's right-wing extremists have had plans to build a self-proclaimed national guard for years. Finally, in March 2006, the former head of the right-wing Bulgarian National Alliance (BGNS) Bojan Rassate founded the so-called "protecting troop" as an extended arm of BGNS.

By its own account, the group wants to promote Bulgarian nationalist interests, as well as increase cooperation with nationalists abroad. The ultra-right movement has proclaimed "socialist nationalism" as its political platform and said it wants to create a united front against globalization, NATO and the European Union.

According to the Bulgarian public prosecutor's office, the organization's goals are unconstitutional. Bulgarian law forbids organizations which practice ethnic, religious or racist agitation and develop paramilitary structures. The office has now taken up an investigation against the guard.

Ultra-right are trying to profit from widespread insecurity

For months now, the self-proclaimed guards have been marching through the streets and schoolyards of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. Dressed in brown shirts with thick leather belts, combat boots and black caps, they also practice martial arts and boxing.

The organization names as its goals "defending the helpless Bulgarians against Gypsy gangs," as well as "deployment during natural catastrophes." Founder Rassate claimed the government had failed as a protective power.

"The corrupt political system has stolen our self-confidence as Bulgarians in the past years," Rassate said. "People are already convinced that the 'truths' of the various parties are actually nothing more than one big propaganda lie."

In the run-up to local elections on October 28, Bulgaria's ultra-right are trying to profit from widespread insecurity among the population about the country's political future. But they are also taking advantage of the public discussion on crime among the Roma minority as a platform for their propaganda.

"Paramilitary troops ensue from this ground," said well-known Bulgarian journalist Georgi Papakotschev. He said the Nazi paramilitary organization SA, Hitler's private army founded in 1921, served as their role model.

"It is precisely according to this example that they want to create justice and order in an allegedly non-governable state," Papakotschev said. "The [Roma], the Bulgarian Turks, the Jews, but also the Bulgarians themselves should tremble from this new strong hand. That is their perception."

Group getting European support

According to Rassate, his movement has express support from eight European groups, including Germany's National Democratic Party (NPD), the Vlaams Belang from Belgium and Spain's Falangista.

"They understand our positions and invite us to relevant seminars and events," Rassate said. "It is beyond doubt that in 10 years, when 3 million Bulgarians live side-by-side with three million Gypsies in Bulgaria, Europe will listen to us."

Rassate based this statement on demographic forecasts for Bulgaria. They show that the majority population was continuously shrinking, whereas the Turkish and Roma minorities were expected to grow rapidly.

The "national guard" has in the meantime attracted attention to itself through several spectacular appearances. It has hoisted the Bulgarian flag on the country's highest mountain, the Musala, initiated street battles with party members of other radical groups and organized a torch-led rally on the anniversary of the death of 1940s fascist General Hristo Lukov.