Volen Siderov - Controversy

Controversy

Siderov has generated increasing controversy as Attack has improved at the polls. He has been labeled xenophobic, and his persona has been called "a studied imitation of Hitler". He has criticised the "symbiotic relationship" between established political parties and organised criminal groups. He has also spoken against the purportedly "widespread discrimination" against majority ethnic Bulgarians by their own state, particularly in relation to the alleged non-prosecution by the state of crimes committed by ethnic minorities and the supposed free provision to certain ethnic groups of social services that have been denied to ordinary Bulgarians.

Siderov and his party "Attack" were among the few Bulgarian political forces that opposed the closing of the four units of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. Units 1 and 2 were taken shut down in the end of 2003 and units 3 and 4 were taken out of operation in the final hours of 2006, immediately prior to the country's accession to the European Union.

In February 2007, the newspaper "168 hours" published claims that the Movement for Rights and Freedoms has paid BGN 1.6 Million to "Attack". On 23 February 2007 Volen Siderov appeared in the offices of the "168 Hours", and asked for an explanation, which was not provided. Attack is suing the newspaper for libel.