IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement

The abbreviation IMRO refers to the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, a historic Bulgarian-led revolutionary political organization in the Macedonia and Thrace regions of the Ottoman Empire, founded in the late 19th century.[8] At the time of its establishment in 1991, the name of the organization was IMRO-Union of Macedonian Associations. At the Fourth Congress in 1997, IMRO-UMA dropped the addition UMA.[9] Initially, it was not involved in Bulgarian politics, but after 1994 it became politically active and entered the Bulgarian parliament. Renamed the IMRO-Bulgarian National Movement in 1998, the organization was gradually transformed into a right-wing populist political party in the 2000s.[10] In 2010, a group of its members split from the party and formed National Ideal for Unity.

In the 2014 European Parliament election, the party was part of the "Bulgaria Without Censorship", which included the parties Bulgaria Without Censorship, IMRO-BNM, People's Agricultural Union, and George's Day Movement. The coalition received 10.66% of the votes and won two seats in the European Parliament. MEPs elected from the coalition include IMRO vice-leader Angel Djambazki and BBT leader Nikolay Barekov.

On 3 August 2014 a coalition agreement between the NFSB and IMRO called Patriotic Front was signed for the upcoming parliamentary elections 2014.[11] And states its purpose to be for: "a revival of the Bulgarian economy, a fight against monopolies, achieving modern education and healthcare and a fair and uncorrupt judiciary." The signing of a coalition agreement between IMRO and NFSB marks the end of the BBT-IMRO coalition.

The members of the alliance are - PROUD,[12] National Ideal for Unity,[13] Middle European Class,[14] Association Patriot,[15] Undivided Bulgaria,[16] National Movement BG Patriot,[17][18] Union of the Patriotic Forces "Defense", National Association of Alternate Soldiery "For the Honor of epaulette",[19] National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland[20] and National Democratic Party.[21]

The IMRO describes itself as a conservative and patriotic party based on modern nationalism. It defines itself as a "pan-Bulgarian national movement" aiming at "spiritual unity of the Bulgarian nation". It is known as a strongly nationalist and Orthodox Christian party[2] which claims to continue the mission of the historic IMRO and strives for the recognition of the Bulgarian character of the majority population of today's Republic of Macedonia.[22]

• The National Youth Committee of IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement

• Official website (in Bulgarian)

Media related to IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement at Wikimedia Commons