Protesters in Varna threw eggs and vegetables at Ursula von der Leyen’s car
Demonstrators in Varna attacked the motorcade on 10 November; von der Leyen still visited the Naval Academy and announced funds for Black Sea rescue and security.
Protesters in Varna hurled eggs, fruit and vegetables at the official cars carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Bulgarian prime minister Rumen Radev during her working visit to the city on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Police set up a security cordon outside the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy but some demonstrators managed to reach the motorcade and throw items toward the vehicles.
Funding pledge and Black Sea security
Despite the disruption, von der Leyen proceeded to the Naval Academy and met with Radev. During talks on Black Sea security she announced an additional €10 million for search-and-rescue operations in the Black Sea and €50 million for the joint maritime security centre of Bulgaria and Romania.
The protest, organised by supporters of the Prerodba party, attracted several dozen people carrying Bulgarian flags and banners with messages against the war. Marchers gathered under the slogan "Varna wants peace, not war" and shouted "Ursula, you are not welcome" as they demanded she leave the country immediately.
Participants voiced opposition to the European Union's stance on the war in Ukraine and fears that Bulgaria could be drawn into a broader military conflict. One demonstrator told Bulgarian National Television: "We do not want Bulgaria to be drawn into someone else's war. We also do not want the euro, we want the Bulgarian lev." Another accused von der Leyen of becoming an "ambassador of war."
Rumen Radev called on an end to attacks on civilian and commercial vessels, stressing that seafarers are not participants in armed conflict and must be protected. The visit took place amid heightened concern over recent strikes on merchant ships and threats to maritime traffic in the Black Sea.
Photo: press material from the event
