This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on migrant workers have sparked anger in Bulgaria, with the country's government and citizens expressing outrage over his remarks.
Macron's comments, made in an interview with the French magazine Valeurs Actuelles, referred to 'clandestine networks of Bulgarians and Ukrainians' as a preferred option for migrant workers over those from other countries.
However, Macron later clarified his comments, saying that his words had been taken out of context and that he had never criticized Bulgarian citizens, workers, or institutions.
Despite this, the controversy has continued to escalate, with Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva asking the country's ambassador to Paris to hand in a protest note to the French foreign ministry.
Macron's comments have also been met with anger from Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who said that Macron had contacted him to confirm his support for Bulgaria and to say that his comments had been misinterpreted.
"He reassured me that he had never criticized Bulgarian citizens, workers or institutions," Borissov said on Facebook.
Macron's remarks have been widely reported in Bulgarian media, sparking an angry reaction from the country's vice premier, Krasimir Karakachanov, who said that the statement was "a new manifestation of political arrogance".
Published on November 3, 2019, Macron's comments have sparked a heated debate in Bulgaria, with many expressing outrage over his remarks.
