site.btaProtest, Car Procession over Rising Cost of Living Held in Sofia

Protesters burned electricity and heating bills in front of the Council of Ministers’ building on Sunday. The protest was organized by members and supporters of the non-parliamentary VMRO party, who earlier in the day held a vehicle procession in downtown Sofia to express dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living.

The VRMO party, which was part of the previous government as member of the United Patriots coalition, criticized the Cabinet’s policy on handling the crises. Calls for resignation of the Government were heard during the protest.

VMRO co-leader and MEP Angel Dzhambazki commented for the media that the Cabinet cannot handle the crisis with the appreciation of electricity and all communal services. According to VMRO, some of the measures that could be undertaken include a moratorium on the export of cheap electricity from the Kozloduy nuclear plan, a moratorium on the payment of carbon quotas, and suspension of the payment of VAT on electricity bills. Unless measures are taken after Sunday’s protest, the party will resort to “broader actions with more blockades”, Dzhambazki said.

Representatives of the Bulgarian Democracy Movement civil association also came in front of the Council of Ministers’ building to express their discontent with the Government.