Tensions Appear in Bulgaria's Opposition DPS Party as Founder Criticises Leadership

Tensions seem to have started to appear within the second largest opposition party in Bulgaria - the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) as its founder and honorary chairperson, Ahmed Dogan, criticised the party's leadership over its stance on the downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkey.

In a new year's speech addressing the elite of the party, Dogan criticised current leader Lyutvi Mestan over the declaration of DPS, which had expressed support for Turkey and hurled criticim at Russia.

Back in November, Mestan stated that the violation of the airspace of each NATO member country represented violation of the airspace and sovereignty of the Alliance as a whole.

Dogan identified the declaration of Mestan as a "goof" as neither the Pentagon nor NATO had expressed a clear stance on the incident.

The founder of the party noted that DPS was in the need of renewal, but not substitution attempted with the support of neighbouring countries.

In his speech, Dogan also questioned the continued existence of the EU and the extent to which NATO is an adequate defence system.

The honorary chairperson noted that both Russia and Turkey are seeking to assume a new role in the world, which could result in difficult relations and crises on the Balkans and in Europe.