Obscured by the Coup in Egypt , Note that Bulgaria's government collapsed on Wednesday - due to protests by the people there !

Protests Sweep Bulgaria As Government Collapses Amid Chaos

• Martin Mateev
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Protests Sweep Bulgaria As Government Collapses Amid Chaos

The Bulgarian government was officially dissolved on Wednesday with the resignation of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov as thousands took to the street to protest against high electricity bills and declining living standards. The country, which joined the EU in 2001, remains the poorest member of the union after a long and troubled transition to capitalism.

The first casualty of the on-going crisis became Bulgarian finance minister Simeon Djankov — a well-respected former World Bank official who undertook painful economic reforms and austerity measures. Djankov stepped down on Tuesday in the middle of escalating protests in the capital of Sofia where people with signs that read "Mafia" and "Bring Down the Monopolies" were rallying against lack of transparency and monopolistic practices in the energy sector.

As the nationwide protest steadily turned against "Everything and Everyone," violent clashes with the police errupted leaving at least 25 injured in Sofia which increased the pressure on Borisov's leadership three months before the official end of his term.

Borisov, known for his hard-line can-do style, has successfully carried out ambitious infrastructure projects and EU programs. However, rising unemployment and soaring living costs have put millions of Bulgarians on the brink of poverty in a country where the average monthly salary continues to be less than 400 euros a month.

In a surprise move on Wednesday Prime Minister Borisov officially announced his resignation, saying, "I am unable to witness the blood on the streets. The people put us in power and today we give it back to them."  His centrist GERB party will not participate in the formation of a new government which leaves many open questions about the political stability of the country.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev addressed the nation and announced his efforts to put together an interim government until the elections can be held this spring. 

Despite the cabinet resignation the violent clashes in Sofia have intensified late on Wednesday as protesters demand the exit of the entire political establishment. 

A 36-year-old man set himself on fire in the city of Varna where protests are demanding Mayor Kiril Yordanov's resignation. Yordanov is currently serving his fourth consecutive term and has held the post since 1999.

Lack of fresh ideas and alternatives have paralyzed the aging and complacent political class of Bulgaria. More than three million Bulgarians, which accounts for close to 40% of the total population, have left the country since the fall of communism in search of better education and job opportunities.

Those who have remained in the country have steadily seen their post-communism dreams disappear in corruption, political scandals and rising unemployment among young people. 

Similar protests have been sparked in Slovenia where the government is struggling to remain in power. One protester, Miha Borovovec, said, "This government is totalitarian, it is corrupt, it is taking our country down. That’s why I am here; this authority will destroy our country."

Yet, the current protests might actually provide hope for Bulgaria's future, as many young Bulgarians expect better from their government and have shown that they intend to do something about it. The dissolution of the new government could prove a crucial starting point of the next chapter in the country's history.

22nd day of anti-govt protests in Bulgaria (ROUNDUP)

06 July 2013 | 08:24 | FOCUS News Agency

Home / Bulgaria

Sofia. Anti-government protests took place across Bulgaria for a 22nd day in a row. The protests in the capital Sofia were peaceful and no incidents were reported. The first protestors gathered as early as in the morning to drink coffee in front of the parliament. At around 8:00 a.m. some 100 people organized the latest out-for-a-coffee protest, chanting “resignation” and “mafia.” The protestors blocked the traffic in Tsar Osvoboditel boulevard and booed the National Assembly. They left slices of bread with a notice “Social Benefit” behind the metal fencing.
According to the police 3,000 people joined the protest rally in the evening. At 6:30 p.m. local time protestors gathered, as usual, in front of the building of the Council of Ministers, blocking the traffic in Tsar Osvoboditel boulevard The rally moved on its traditional route without incidents and violations of the public order. Anti-conflict police officers accompanied the protestors to respond if any incident occurred. The protestors passed by the building of the National Assembly. On the metal fencing around the parliament there were banners reading “We do not beg you, we order you,” “There are two options: hit the road or we will give you a hit,” “Show some dignity,” “We are realists, not revanchists.” Slices of bread and cucumbers were again left on the fence with a notice “Social Benefit.” The protestors blocked the traffic at two crossroads. Later they booed the central office of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB), yelling “mafia,” “resignation” and “Down CEDB.” They also threw paper banknotes and then swept them away, using a broom with the party’s logo as a sign of protest. They chanted “mafia” and “resignation” also in front of the central offices of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Later the protestors returned to Eagles’ Bridge, blocking the traffic until late in the evening.
Protests were held in other cities across the country as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23201170

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Bulgaria's president has said another early election should take place to deal with daily anti-government street protests.

"If nothing else helps, if there are not even attempts to reach agreement, then the only democratic solution is elections," Rosen Plevneliev said.

The parliament, not the president, has the power to call new elections.

Bulgaria has been in political turmoil for months. The current government took office after a snap election in May.

"There have been incessant protests in Bulgaria for 22 days now and I still do not see politicians making a clear effort to take notice of what is happening and explain to the nation in plain terms what they will do about it," President Plevneliev complained in a national address.

The latest demonstrations, by thousands of people in the capital Sofia and other cities, erupted in mid-June over the controversial appointment of a media mogul, Delyan Peevski, as head of the national security agency.

Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski, who heads a Socialist-led coalition, later revoked the appointment and apologised, but protests against his coalition government continued.

His predecessor as prime minister, Boiko Borisov, resigned in February after big street protests about high electricity prices, austerity measures and mismanagement.