site.btaWorkers from TPP Maritsa 3 Protest in Front of Environment Ministry

Workers from TPP Maritsa 3-Dimitrovgrad gathered to protest in front of the Ministry of Environment and Water. The reason is the forced shutdown of the thermal power plant by the ecological inspectorate in Haskovo on April 21. The demonstration was organized by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB).

The protest has caused the suspension of traffic in the area of Maria Luisa Blvd and Lion's Bridge.  Police officers will accompany the protesters to the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly, where they are expected to head.

The first protest of TPP Maritsa 3 in Sofia, planned a week ago, did not take place due to the expectation that the operation of the plant will be resumed. The protesters arrived in Sofia on May 12, but the protest was canceled at the last minute following the news of an order for a partial resumption of work. However, the order was canceled two hours later.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov gave a briefing announcing that the company remained closed due to violations of air quality standards. He also informed that the Court of Justice of the European Union has initiated infringement proceedings against Bulgaria for systemic pollution with sulfur dioxide in Southeastern Bulgaria.

"I expect many colleagues from other coal-fired power plants in the country and from mines to join the protest, so the estimated number of those dissatisfied will be around 1,600," said the company's chief lawyer, Yulian Semerdzhiev. According to the organizers of the protest, about 3,000 people have joined. Protesters waved signs reading: "Don't kill Bulgarian Energy", "We Want Work, not Hunger", "Transformation, not Liquidation" and others.

According to Semerdzhiev, a protest declaration and candles symbolizing an energy crisis will be handed over at the Ministry of Environment and Water. After the Ministry of Environment and Water, the energy workers marched to the Council of Ministers and the Parliament, where declarations will also be presented.
Minutes after gathering in front of the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW), protesters from TPP Maritza 3-Dimitrovgrad sent a negotiating team to meet with Minister Sandov.

Semerdzhiev, who was part of the group, told reporters later that Borislav Sandov had said he would not comply with the request to open the TPP.