Protests took place on Tuesday evening after the former minister of culture branded victims of domestic abuse ‘whores’.
Vezhdi Rashidov, an MP for center-right GERB party, made the comment during a break in Parliament on Monday when microphones are expected to be turned off.
Lawmakers were voting on an amendment of the ountry’s law on domestic violence when he could be heard telling colleagues: ‘There are laws even now. Why are we scratching our tongues?
‘All the whores woke up to remember that they were raped 15 years ago. Just like with that American film director where they made him look like a monkey.’
It appeared he was referring to the disgraced sex offender Harvey Weinstein and the MeToo movement that followed.
Rashidov’s own party rushed to condemn his remarks which they called ‘unacceptable’ and urged him to apologize.
Hours after a video of his rant was shared on social media, he issued an apology. He later resigned as culture and media committee chair.
Tensions are running high after an attack on an 18-year-old young woman in the city of Stara Zagora in June.
She was attacked with a knife by her ex boyfriend an needed 400 stitches. It is also alleged he shaved her head and brutally beat her after the two separated.
Demonstrations took place across Bulgaria last week after a court hearing the case qualified her injuries as ‘light’ and did not order the alleged perpetrator to be detained.
