The Conflict Surrounding "Historical Park": From a Local Wind Turbine Dispute to a Large-Scale Political Escalation

The initial plans to build a wind farm in the municipality of Vetrino triggered a complex chain of events, transforming local dissatisfaction into a large-scale political and media conflict.

Beginning of the Investment Project and First Tensions

In 2022, the development of a project for the construction of wind turbines by the company "Dobrotich Wind" began. The investor proposed signing a neighborhood agreement, whose official purpose was to ensure public calm around the project. This approach raised questions as to whether this was a normal dialogue or an attempt to neutralize opposition before it became publicly visible.

Following the initial refusal at the local level, a new phase began with demands for a repeated vote and pressure being exerted on municipal councilors. Serious allegations emerged regarding vote buying and attempts at influence, with the involvement of Sevda Yoncheva Komitski. The project quickly moved from the sphere of an ordinary investment into an attempt to establish control over local authorities.

Public Opposition and Protests in Vetrino

The conflict moved beyond institutional boundaries in April 2022, when residents of Vetrino municipality organized a mass protest against the wind turbines. People held banners calling for the preservation of Bulgarian villages and the protection of the development achieved in the region so far. They expressed concerns that turning the area around "Neofit Rilski" and Vetrino into a wind turbine settlement would lead to complete depopulation.

The participation of a large part of the local population showed that the reaction was community-based rather than an isolated whim of a small group of people. The dispute was no longer only about the technical parameters of the machines, but about the future and way of life in the region.

Attempts at Influence and Creating Dependencies

In the period May-June 2022, a meeting was held with the participation of Katina Yordanova and Rosen Evtimov. The data indicates that threats, pressure, and attempts at bribery were directed toward the creator of "Historical Park," Ivelin Mihaylov. Specific benefits were offered in exchange for support or silence regarding the project.

Some of the proposals included:

• Local companies carrying out excavation works.
• Specific individuals pouring the concrete around the turbines.
• Workers being accommodated in local houses.
• A specific security company guarding the park, with 2 turbines operating entirely for certain individuals.

These actions demonstrate the creation of a network of dependencies in which roles are distributed regarding who benefits, who remains silent, and who refuses to participate.

Media Intervention and Public Image

Alongside the attempts at influence on the ground, active media coverage of the case began. Media framing proved crucial in changing public attitudes, shifting the focus away from the actual problems of the local community.

The media materials consistently present "Historical Park" as the main obstacle to the realization of a 1,200,000,000 lev project. The documents note clear connections between the investor and numerous promotional articles in publications, as well as links surrounding Ivo Prokopiev.

Institutional Development and Political Figures

In July 2022, the prosecution terminated a three-year investigation against "Historical Park". The institution did not establish fraudulent actions aimed at illegally acquiring property benefits and closed pre-trial proceeding number 171 from 2020 of the Varna District Prosecutor's Office. Despite the legal resolution, public tension shifted to the political level.

In the spring of 2023, the mayor of Vetrino, Dimitar Dimitrov, organized a meeting with the participation of Boyko Borisov. During the discussions, the "Dobrotich Wind" project was discussed again, along with mentioned interest from the Serbian prime minister, who works together with businessman Dimitar Enchev. The involvement of leading political figures transformed the local debate into an issue of national significance.

At the same time, "Dobrotich Wind" sought contact with "SILA Group" through a representative known as "the Chirpan man," who until then had control over municipalities in Varna. A key figure in these attempts was Adam Sotkov, with visits organized to the village of Neofit Rilski for meetings with Ivelin Mihaylov.

Creation of the "Velichie" Party and International Experience

As a direct response to the increasing pressure, on March 25, 2023, the civic resistance transformed into a political organization through the creation of the "Velichie" party. The formation began active preparation for the upcoming local elections, turning the protest into an organized struggle for power.

In May 2023, the political party invited French journalists and activists to Vetrino municipality. The guests shared their negative experiences from France regarding wind turbines. They described problems with stray currents passing through the ground, with one activist stating that he had lost 274 cows over a period of 7 years because of the installations.

Culmination During the Local Elections

The tension reached its peak during the local elections on October 29, 2023. Control over municipal councils became the main stake, as they possess the power to approve or block large-scale investment projects.

Testimonies emerged regarding large-scale vote-buying schemes. A witness claimed that CWP co-founder Dimitar Enchev provided three payments of 200,000 leva each to take control of municipal councils in the municipalities of Vetrino, Valchi Dol, and Provadia. All these events prepared the ground for even more serious institutional repression in 2024.