[Onthebarricades] BULGARIA: Unrest at anti-government protest, Jan 2009

[global resistance roundup]

Plus coverage of a wave of protests at Parliament, and background 
articles on the unrest.






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100442

Sofia Protest Rally Turns into Riot
Society | January 14, 2009, Wednesday

Police are continuing to use force and to chase on foot part of the 
participants in the Wednesday protest rally in downtown Sofia, all 
Bulgarian information agencies reported. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova 
(Sofia Photo Agency)
Police are continuing to use force and to chase on foot part of the 
participants in the Wednesday protest rally in downtown Sofia, all 
Bulgarian information agencies reported.

After being dispersed with force form the square in front of the 
Parliament, one group of the demonstrators went in the direction of one 
of Sofia's main thoroughfares "Tsarigradsko Shosse", and was chased on 
foot by policemen in riot gear with teargas and batons.

About 150 of the demonstrators blocked for a while traffic on the 
boulevard, in the area of "Orlov Most" (Eagle Bridge). The Police 
managed to open the road for traffic half an hour later.

Many main roads in downtown Sofia are impassable - there are reports 
that the "Levski" boulevard in the direction of the Sofia University is 
inaccessible with 50 policemen in riot gear blocking the way.

The Darik radio reporter informs that a large group of people is moving 
on "Tsarigradsko Shosse" towards the Sofia "Mladost" district while 
another group is walking towards the National Place of Culture on 
Sofia's main "Vitoshka", Evlogy Georgiev" and "Maria Louisa" boulevards. 
The latest reports, however, say that the crowds are slowly dispersing.

The area near the Parliament where the clashes between Police and 
demonstrators began is currently clear and calm.

About 170 people have been arrested, there are reports of damaged police 
cars and public transportation buses and broken store windows while 
hospitals say 19 people have reported to their emergency rooms to be 
treated from injuries sustained during the Police beatings. Many more 
are believed to have been hurt by Police brutality.






http://www.canada.com/news/story.html?id=1176321

Anti-government rally becomes riot in Bulgaria


By Irina Ivanova and Anna Mudeva , ReutersJanuary 14, 2009

Riot police clear protesters from the square in front of the Bulgarian 
Parliament building in Sofia on Wednesday after an anti-government rally 
turned into a riot.
Photograph by: Stringer, Reuters
SOFIA - Hundreds of protesters clashed with police, smashed windows and 
damaged cars in Bulgaria's capital on Wednesday when a rally against 
corruption and slow reforms in the face of economic crisis turned into a 
riot.
The violence broke out during a peaceful protest in front of parliament 
of more than 2,000 people, including students, farmers and green 
activists, who said they were fed up with life in the European Union's 
poorest and most corrupt nation.
The riot in Sofia was the worst since 1997, when mass rallies and 
strikes toppled the then Socialist government for pushing the Balkan 
country into an economic meltdown. Organisers plan more protests in 
Sofia on Thursday.
On Wednesday, protesters demanded the Socialist-led government step down 
for its failure to tackle widespread graft and crime and speed up 
delayed economic reforms to shore up the country from the global slowdown.
Some shouted "Resign" and "Mafia." There has also been anger about gas 
being cut off due to a Moscow-Kiev row.
"We are fed up with living in the poorest and most corrupt country," the 
protest organisers said in a statement. "This is a unique protest which 
unites the people in their wish for change and their wish to live in a 
normal European country."
Demonstrators hurled snowballs and bottles at parliament and hundreds, 
including soccer fans and far-right activists, clashed with police about 
an hour after the rally started. Twelve policemen and at least 20 
protesters were injured.
"This government is a symbol of theft and corruption," said protester 
Alexander Atanasov, 31. "They simply have to go," said Tsetska Vachkova, 31.
When police tried to drive rioters away from parliament, some began to 
destroy cars and hurled metal bars and cobblestones dug up from the 
streets at shop and office windows.
Police chased rioters in central Sofia for about four hours and arrested 
154 people, some carrying home-made grenades, metal chains and rods.
Riots also broke out in fellow ex-communist Latvia on Tuesday after an 
earlier peaceful anti-government demonstration and following eruptions 
of anger in other economically troubled nations in Europe.
The global financial crisis threatens to erase economic gains achieved 
in the past decade in eastern Europe, raising pressure on governments 
and anger among people whose incomes remain well below those of their 
richer Western neighbours.
Opinion polls show over 70 percent of the 7.6 million population in 
Bulgaria want the government to quit and 75 percent disapprove of 
parliament's work, citing a lack of progress in the anti-corruption fight.
The EU last year punished Bulgaria for failing to put corrupt officials 
and crime bosses behind bars by suspending hundreds of thousands of 
euros in EU aid.
Last year's report by Transparency International portrayed Bulgaria as 
the most corrupt EU nation, taking the lead from neighbouring Romania.
Observers say accelerating protests ahead of this summer's elections are 
unlikely to topple the government, which has an overwhelming majority in 
parliament.
But it will probably see its support eroded as thousands are expected to 
lose their jobs mainly because Bulgaria's main export market, the EU, 
faces deep recession, analysts say.
Public anger is mounting against the government also due to a prolonged 
cut in Russian gas supplies, which left thousands without heating and 
forced some factories to shut down. Bulgaria is among the worst hit in a 
Moscow-Kiev gas row that blocked all Russian supplies to Europe via 
Ukraine a week ago,





http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7013714136

Civic Protest In Bulgaria Turns Violent, 33 Hurt
ShareThis
January 14, 2009 9:48 p.m. EST

AHN Staff
Sofia, Bulgaria (AHN) - Thirty-three people, including a dozen police 
officers, were injured when protesters clashed with police outside the 
Bulgarian parliament in Sofia on Wednesday.
Police arrested 154 protesters, who were demanding the resignation of 
lawmakers and corrupt government officials, Bulgaria's interior ministry 
said in a statement. A 15-year-old boy was among those arrested for 
possession of three home-made bombs.
About 1,000 college students, environmentalists, and farmers joined the 
rally in front of the parliament building while a similar number of 
police were on guard.
Masked hooligans provoked the clash by throwing stones and snowballs at 
police officers and trying to break through the police cordon. The 
police responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the 
crowd.
The organizer of the rally, called the Association for Development and 
Civic Control, said it will hold another rally Thursday.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LE473019.htm

Bulgaria anti-government protest turns into riot
14 Jan 2009 11:50:45 GMT
Source: Reuters
SOFIA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Dozens of protesters clashed with police in 
Bulgaria's capital on Wednesday when an anti-government rally turned 
into a riot, police said.
The violence broke out during a peaceful protest in front of parliament 
of more than 2,000 people, including students, farmers and green 
activists, who said they were fed up with life in the European Union's 
poorest and most corrupt nation.
Protesters demanded the Socialist-led government step down for its 
failure to tackle widespread graft and crime and solve economic problems 
in the face of a global slowdown. Some shouted "Resign" and "Mafia".
Dozens of demonstrators hurled snowballs and bottles at parliament and 
clashed with police about an hour after the rally started. Some of the 
protesters were injured.
Police said they had arrested several people carrying hand-made 
grenades, without giving further details.
Riots also broke out in economically troubled Latvia on Tuesday evening 
after an earlier peaceful anti-government demonstration.
"We are fed up with living in the poorest and most corrupt country," 
organisers of the Sofia protest said in a statement. "This a unique 
protest which unites the people in their wish for a change and their 
wish to live in a normal European country."
Opinion polls show over 70 percent of the 7.6 million population want 
the government to quit and 75 percent disapprove of parliament's work, 
citing a lack of progress in the anti-corruption fight.
The EU last year punished Bulgaria for being too slow in cracking down 
on graft and organised crime by suspending hundreds of thousands of 
euros in EU aid.
Last year's report by Transparency International portrayed the Balkan 
country as the most corrupt EU nation, taking the lead from neighbouring 
Romania.
Protests are expected to accelerate ahead of this summer's general 
elections but are unlikely to topple the government, which has an 
overwhelming majority in parliament, observers say. (Reporting by Irina 
Ivanova, Oleg Popov, Tsvetelia Ilieva and Anna Mudeva)





http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100436

Anti-Government Protesters Clash with Police in Sofia
Society | January 14, 2009, Wednesday
More than 2000 people staged Wednesday an anti-government protest in 
front of the Parliament in Sofia and brief clashes with police erupted.

Some of the windows of the parliament were reportedly broken by 
hooligans and police forces started to disperse protesters.

Earlier the municipality and the police had received a warning by a 
source that a group intends to place a bomb near the building.

After the call Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov decided to ban the protest.

The rally was initially organized by students protesting against the 
socialist-led government policies and the deepening social and economic 
problems in Bulgaria.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2009/01/15/192088/Bulgaria-anti-gov%27t.htm

Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:09 am TWN, By Irina Ivanova and Anna 
Mudeva, Reuters
Bulgaria anti-gov't protest turns into riot
SOFIA -- Hundreds of protesters clashed with police, smashed windows and 
damaged cars in Bulgaria's capital on Wednesday when an anti-government 
rally turned into a riot.
The violence broke out during a peaceful protest in front of parliament 
of more than 2,000 people, including students, farmers and green 
activists, who said they were fed up with life in the European Union's 
poorest and most corrupt nation.
The riot in Sofia was the worst since 1997, when mass rallies and 
strikes toppled the then Socialist government for pushing the Balkan 
country into an economic meltdown.
On Wednesday, protesters demanded the Socialist-led government step down 
for its failure to tackle widespread graft and crime and solve economic 
problems in the face of a global slowdown. Some shouted “Resign” and 
“Mafia.”
“We are fed up with living in the poorest and most corrupt country,” the 
protest organizers said in a statement. “This a unique protest which 
unites the people in their wish for change and their wish to live in a 
normal European country.”
Demonstrators hurled snowballs and bottles at parliament and hundreds 
clashed with police about an hour after the rally started. Six policemen 
and some protesters were wounded. When police tried to drive rioters 
away from parliament, some began to destroy cars and hurled metal bars 
and cobblestones dug up from the streets at shop windows and buses. 
Police arrested at least 53 people and confiscated hand-made grenades, 
metal chains and rods.
Riots also broke out in fellow ex-communist Latvia on Tuesday after an 
earlier peaceful anti-government demonstration.
The global financial crisis threatens to the erase economic gains 
achieved in the past decade in eastern Europe, raising pressure on 
governments and anger among people whose incomes remain well below those 
of their richer Western neighbors.






http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-01-14-bulgaria-antigovt-protest-turns-into-riot

Bulgaria anti-govt protest turns into riot
SOFIA, BULGARIA Jan 14 2009 14:36

Dozens of protesters clashed with police in Bulgaria's capital on 
Wednesday when an anti-government rally turned into a riot, police said.

The violence broke out during a peaceful protest in front of Parliament 
of more than 2 000 people, including students, farmers and green 
activists, who said they were fed up with life in the European Union's 
poorest and most corrupt nation.

Protesters demanded the Socialist-led government step down for its 
failure to tackle widespread graft and crime and solve economic problems 
in the face of a global slowdown. Some shouted "Resign" and "Mafia".

Dozens of demonstrators hurled snowballs and bottles at Parliament and 
clashed with police about an hour after the rally started. Some of the 
protesters were injured.

Police said they had arrested several people carrying hand-made 
grenades, without giving further details.

Riots also broke out in economically troubled Latvia on Tuesday evening 
after an earlier peaceful anti-government demonstration.

"We are fed up with living in the poorest and most corrupt country," 
organisers of the Sofia protest said in a statement. "This a unique 
protest which unites the people in their wish for a change and their 
wish to live in a normal European country."

Opinion polls show more than 70% of the 7,6-million population want the 
government to quit and 75% disapprove of Parliament's work, citing a 
lack of progress in the anti-corruption fight.

The EU last year punished Bulgaria for being too slow in cracking down 
on graft and organised crime by suspending hundreds of thousands of 
euros in EU aid.







http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45540

BULGARIA: Protests Rise Above Parties, and Against Them
By Claudia Ciobanu

At the Jan. 21 protest in Sofia.

Credit:Jana Punkina

BUCHAREST, Jan 26 (IPS) - Protests have been taking place in Bulgarian 
capital Sofia almost every day since Jan. 14. Bringing together students 
and parents, farmers and environmentalists, the actions are directed 
against a political class which, in the words of the organisers, has 
"robbed" Bulgarians.

Even though participation has been at most 2,000-3,000, many take these 
protests as a sign that some sectors of Bulgarian society are becoming 
increasingly politically aware and active, leaving behind a period of 
post-communist citizen apathy.

Last year saw numerous albeit small protests called by students 
demanding better conditions, greens fighting against large-scale tourism 
development in protected areas, and farmers protesting the cutting of 
funds from the European Union on account of high-level corruption. At 
the end of December, leaders of the student protests were already 
announcing a bigger action for Jan. 14, when parliamentary sessions were 
scheduled to resume after the winter holidays.

Jan. 14 is an important day for Bulgarians, marking the beginning of 
month-long protests in 1997 that eventually brought down the Socialist 
government. Bulgaria experienced a financial collapse that year, which 
most people blamed on the irresponsible actions of the government. At 
the time, the centre-right opposition played a central role in the 
street actions, which were framed as a battle of "anti-communists" 
versus "communists", "blues" versus "reds".

This year's protests preserved some of the symbolism of 1997. Some 
people attended a metaphoric "funeral of democracy" Sunday last week, 
wearing dark colours and placing flowers in front of the parliament. A 
similar 'funeral' had been staged for the Socialists in 1997, echoing 
yet another symbolic funeral during anti-communist street actions in 
1990, when "communist success" was buried.

But in spite of the repetition, the 2009 protests are very different. 
Crucially, the centre-right opposition has not been included in the 
actions; it is in fact considered a target of protests, together with 
the Socialist government. This time, protesters are careful to emphasise 
that they have no partisan allegiance.

At a protest on Wednesday last week, more than 1,200 people turned their 
backs towards the parliament, to illustrate their rejection of the 
entire political class.

The 2009 protests seem to be less about replacing one government with 
another one. "The reason for these protests is the deep discontent of 
different social groups with the government and the pseudo-democratic 
political system in Bulgaria, even though this was not very well 
articulated, at least at the very beginning of the protests," political 
scientist Dragomir Stoyanov in Sofia told IPS. "They want a change in 
the way democracy is functioning in Bulgaria and a change within the 
elite."

Many have been quick to read the protests as a sign of crisis in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria media focused extensively on violence Jan. 14 when a core of 
extremists attacked the police, who then responded excessively, 
arresting over 150 people and injuring more than a dozen.

The main organisers of the protests were keen to distance themselves 
from the violence, and footage circulating on the Internet shows 
organisers trying to keep the violent rioters away from the police 
lines. Bulgarian media later reported that the attackers had been paid 
to cause trouble. Focus news agency quoted independent MP Maria Kapon as 
saying, "I'm sorry to say that the gathering was discredited by 
obviously commissioned vandalism by people who were sent to do just that 
- provoke the police."

In another example of distorted coverage of the events in Sofia, an 
article in the Jan. 18 edition of British newspaper The Guardian 
predicts a "spring of discontent" in Eastern Europe, with riots erupting 
everywhere in reaction to the effects of the global economic crisis and 
inefficient governments. But Bulgarian observers insist the protests in 
Bulgaria were not caused by the effects of the economic crisis, but have 
been related to specific, long-lasting problems in national politics.

Writing in Bulgarian daily Novinite, Ivan Dikov argues against a 
negativist take on the protests. According to Dikov, this year's street 
actions are not a sign of "deep political destabilisation, social strife 
and even racial tension as a result of the financial crisis," as The 
Guardian claims. Rather, they are "a troubled but still significant act 
of civic activism in a country with little civil society tradition, if 
any."

Speaking to IPS after last week's protests, political scientist Robert 
Phillips from the American University in Bulgaria said that the 2009 
actions can be seen as a sign of "institutionalisation of protest", even 
though the protesters still have much to learn about how to structure 
their message and coordinate their actions. He added that the mature way 
in which the environmentalists have been organising their own actions 
over the past years could serve as an example of collective grassroots 
action for all the other protesting groups.

Political scientist Ivan Krastev from the Centre for Liberal Strategies 
in Sofia also agrees that the street actions taking place this January 
are a new stage for citizen activism. Krastev told IPS that the Internet 
has played a crucial role in the organisation of this year's protests 
and that "the wave of digital protests accompanying the marches in front 
of the parliament can play a key role for the politicisation of the 
generation of young people born just before or after 1989 who until now 
were demonstratively not interested in politics."

According to Dragomir Stoyanov, the protests in Sofia "showed that a 
'born free generation' exists, which is not politically apathetic and is 
ready to defend democratic values using democratic tools."

While these observers are optimistic about the significance of the 
protests for the strength of civil society in Bulgaria, they also point 
out that activists have a long way to go.

According to Phillips, even though a part of the population is becoming 
increasingly politicised, very many are still passive. In addition, 
"protest in isolation will accomplish little. People need to be more 
active at the ballot box, to demand transparency from elected officials, 
to stop supporting corruption by participating in it." (END/2009)






http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_1255759665

Protesters concerned over soccer fans
Updated on: 14.01.2009, 10:52
Published on: 14.01.2009, 10:44
Author: Stefan Nikolov
Font size: a a a
The Association of young scientists "Kogito" expressed their concern of 
the possible presence of a multitude of different groups (including 
people from the fan clubs of several soccer teams) during today's protests.
This excites apprehensions that it might come to affrays, people from 
"Kogito" warn and call upon the management of the Internal Affairs 
Ministry to be responsible and to make the protests safe.
The Association states that when there are so many problems in the 
country, the intelligent civil society has the right to protest. This is 
an important corrective action and it must be heard.
At the same time they call upon protesters to have civil responsibility 
and not to downplay the power of their claims with acts of violence.







http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2009/01/15/nb-10

Peaceful protest in Sofia turns violent
15/01/2009
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- What began as a peaceful rally outside the parliament 
building Wednesday (January 14th) turned into a riot after a group of 
protesters tried to charge barricades in front of parliament. About 
2,000 students, mothers of large families, teachers, environmentalists 
and others gathered to protest the government's failure to deal with 
widespread corruption. It turned violent after nationalists and football 
fans in the crowd began throwing rock-filled snowballs at police. In 
all, 23 people suffered injuries and police made 170 arrests. (Sofia 
News Agency, Darik, Dnevnik, Focus, BTA, Reuters, AP, RIA Novosti - 
14/01/09)








http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100471

Sofia Police Outnumbers Demonstrators during Second Day of Protests
Society | January 15, 2009, Thursday

About 1,500 policemen in riot gear guarded the Thursday protest rally in 
front of the Parliament building in downtown Sofia, Bulgarian 
information agencies report. Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)
About 1,500 policemen in riot gear guarded the Thursday protest rally in 
front of the Parliament building in downtown Sofia, Bulgarian 
information agencies report.

The rally was officially brought to conclusion around 2:30 pm with it 
organizers adamant that the demonstrators would convene again on Friday. 
They also announced that they were trying to organize a Saturday protest 
to give the opportunity to those who had to be at work to attend and 
voice their civil position.

According to information from the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, about 
1,300 demonstrators came to the Thursday rally, organized by college 
students, farmers and environmental activists demanding the Cabinet's 
resignation.

In the aftermath of Wednesday's violence, the Police and the Sofia 
municipality undertook serious security measures by removing all traffic 
signs and any other metal objects, and cleaning all ice and everything 
in the area that could be used to attack the policemen.

The Police further listed Thursday personal data of the demonstrators 
while the Opposition Member of the Parliament Yane Yanev signaled that 
the measure illegally included minors.

The Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov accused the ruling Bulgarian Socialist 
Party of turning the Wednesday protest into a riot and widespread 
violence. Borisov's Deputy Yulya Nenkova issued Wednesday an order to 
the Police to disperse the demonstrators, basing it on an alleged bomb 
threat.







http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LF747856.htm

Bulgarians stage second day of anti-govt protests
15 Jan 2009 14:37:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds opposition party leaving parliament, paragraph 11)
By Irina Ivanova and Anna Mudeva
SOFIA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Thousands of Bulgarians renewed calls for the 
government to resign over corruption and a host of economic problems, 
including a cut-off in gas supplies, in a second day of protests on 
Thursday.
Police deployed in large numbers in front of parliament to try to 
prevent a repeat of Wednesday's unrest in which rioters, including 
students and farmers, clashed with police and smashed windows in some of 
the worst violence in Sofia in 12 years.
"We want the government to step down," said student Adriana Ivanova, 23, 
one of the protest organisers. "We want a better life in Bulgaria and we 
are ready to keep rallying until we see a change."
Many Bulgarians say they are fed up with the quality of life in the 
Balkan country of 7.6 million, which has the lowest GDP per capita in 
the European Union.
Much anger has been directed at the government's failure to stamp out 
endemic graft and organised crime, and its delay in pushing through 
reforms to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis.
A gas row between Russia and Ukraine, which has stopped flows to 
Bulgaria, has added to the discontent which analysts say is likely to 
grow before this year's parliamentary election.
"The average Bulgarian is in a very difficult situation because he has a 
very low income and almost no savings ..." said Ognyan Chipev, a 
53-year-old engineer. "The government kept saying we shouldn't worry ... 
This was frivolous and irresponsible," he added.
Anger over the authorities' handling of the global economic slowdown has 
also sparked riots in Latvia, Iceland and Russia.
MORE PROTESTS PLANNED
Students, farmers and green activists have threatened to hold more 
rallies in the coming weeks. Police are planning to protest over low 
salaries and poor work conditions on Saturday.
Opposition right-wing parties have also called for the cabinet to 
resign. The nationalist Attack party, which has 11 deputies in the 
240-strong chamber, said it was quitting the parliament as it no longer 
"represented people adequately".
Wednesday's riot was the worst since 1997, when 30 days of mass rallies 
and strikes toppled the then Socialist government for pushing Bulgaria 
into an economic meltdown.
Analysts said Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev's ruling coalition was not 
threatened, despite plummeting support, because it has an overwhelming 
majority in parliament.
"The government is obviously having serious problems ... but for now 
there are no signs of political destabilisation," said Rumiana Kolarova, 
political analyst at Sofia University.
"Whether the protests can topple the government depends on how they 
unfold and whether they manage to attract more people," she added.
The government took Bulgaria into the European Union last year, nearly 
halved unemployment to 5.8 percent, almost doubled pensions and public 
sector wages and has attracted 6 billion euros of foreign investment a 
year since it took power in 2005.
But growth is likely to slow by up to 2 percent this year as Bulgaria's 
main export market, the EU, faces a deep recession.
Brussels froze EU aid to Bulgaria last year over rampant graft and 
Transparency International portrayed the country as the most corrupt EU 
member. (Additional reporting by Tsvetelia Ilieva; Editing by Tim Pearce)






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100519

Sofia Protest Rallies Slowly Subside
Society | January 17, 2009, Saturday

About 200 people have gathered for the fourth day in a row in front of 
the Parliament building in downtown Sofia Saturday. Photo by Sofia Photo 
Agency
About 200 people have gathered for the fourth day in a row in front of 
the Parliament building in downtown Sofia Saturday to voice their social 
discontent over the current Cabinet, Bulgarian information agencies 
reported.

The police presence is also said to be much lesser than during the 
preceding days.

The protest are organized by student, environmental, farmer, parent, 
retiree and other civic organizations.

Despite their lower numbers, the demonstrators vowed again to continue 
their demonstrations until their demands were met. They wand the 
resignation of Interior Minister Mihail Mikov, over the police brutality 
exerted during the first day of the protest Wednesday, and dissolution 
of the Cabinet.






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100543

100 Protesters Mourn Bulgaria's Democracy before Parliament
Society | January 18, 2009, Sunday

Several dozens of protesters laid flowers before the Parliament Sunday 
mourning the Bulgarian democracy. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo 
Agency)
About one hundred people, mostly university student leaders and 
retirees, gathered Sunday for the fifth consecutive day of the daily 
protests in downtown Sofia.

The small number of protesters laid clove pinks and other flowers on the 
metal fences before the Parliamentary building, and lit candles "in 
memory of the stifled Bulgarian democracy and freedom of expression". 
They also wrapped some of the metal fences with toilet paper.

The impromptu mourning ceremony was guarded by a very small number of 
policemen, unlike the previous days of the protests.

The organizers have called off all protests for Monday and Tuesday but 
are expecting a huge protest rally before the Parliament on Wednesday.






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100643

Bulgaria Interior Min to Explain Police Actions at Bloody Anti-Govt Protest
Politics | January 22, 2009, Thursday
Bulgaria's Interior Minister is to give Thursday some explanations to 
the members of the Internal Security and Public Order Committee about 
the way the police acted during the protest against cabinet last week.

The hearing will be held at the insistence of the opposition who managed 
to gather enough signatures in support of the demand for organizing an 
extraordinary sitting of the committee.

On January 14, the first in a series of demonstrations against the 
present Bulgarian cabinet turned into a bloody mess and ended in many 
injured and more than 1,700 arrests.

The clashes occurred after some alleged provocateurs attacked the 
policemen guarding the building of the Parliament in downtown Sofia, 
where the protest was held.

The officers then used force to disperse the crowd. As a result many 
innocent citizens suffered serious injuries.







http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100595

Security Measures Tightened for Wednesday Protest before Bulgaria Parliament
Society | January 20, 2009, Tuesday
A total of 1,800 police officers and gerdarmes will guard the 
demonstrators to gather before Bulgaria's building of Parliament on 
Wednesday to stage yet another protest against the government.

There will be fixed check-points where policemen and representatives of 
the organizers are to supervise the demonstration, Interior Ministry 
announced Tuesday.

The protest will also bring some traffic restrictions in downtown Sofia. 
At different hours during the day, the authorities will cease the 
traffic at the central boulevards surrounding Narodno Sabranie and 
Nezavisimost squares.

The severe security measures comes after the rally that turned into a 
violent rally a week ago when clashes between police and demonstrators 
ended with serious injuries and about 1,700 arrests.

Organizers stated that more than 5,000 citizens from all over Bulgaria 
are expected to join the Wednesday's rally.







http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_1948667135

New wave of protests in front of the parliament
Updated on: 21.01.2009, 10:26
Published on: 21.01.2009, 10:20
Author: Stefan Nikolov
Font size: a a a
New civil protests are expected in the center of Sofia.
The meeting of students, ecologists, organizations and movements of 
mothers and farmers will start at 15 o'clock in front of the building of 
the National Assembly.
The summarized demands of all protesting organizations will be announced 
at the protest meeting. In a declaration, submitted in the National 
Assembly and the Ministerial council, protesters insist on the 
resignation of the Minister of Internal Affairs Mihail Mikov, as well as 
urgent measures on the demands of all protesting organizations. The 
demands are for the implementation of a majority element in the election 
system and for the increase of civil participation in the management of 
the country. Results on their demands the organizers of the protest set 
a deadline - January 27.
Because of the forthcoming protests a part of the center of Sofia will 
be closed for traffic. The restrictions in the movement of automobiles 
will be for the area of square "Narodno sabranie" and square 
"Nezavisimost". Beginning 11.30 o'clock until the end of the protest 
actions, traffic on the route of the protesting students from "Hristo 
Botev" hall to the end bust stop of bus №280 and square "Narodno 
sybranie" will be gradually stopped. Until the protesters are in front 
of the parliament, the entire traffic on boulevard "Tzar Osvoboditel" 
will be stopped, from boulevard "Vassil Levski" to "Raksovski" Street.






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100629

1 200 Bulgarians Protest by Turning Backs to Parliament
Society | January 21, 2009, Wednesday

A toilet roll placed by a protester on the metal fence before the 
Parliament. The writing reads: "Luxury toilet paper for your luxury 
bottoms". Photo by BGNES
More than 1 200 Bulgarians have gathered in front of the Bulgarian 
Parliament Wednesday afternoon to a protest rally organized by college 
students, young mothers, milk and grain producers, and environmentalists.

Instead of facing, the Parliamentary building, however, this time the 
protesters have turned their backs to it as a way of expressing their 
disapproval of the government and the MPs, and as a way of getting back 
at them, since in their words, the institutions had turned their backs 
whenever they addressed them with their problems.

The protesters read a declaration with their general demands which 
include the resignation of Interior Minister Mihail Mikov in seven days, 
and meeting the individual demands of the various groups organizing the 
protests, i.e. farmers, environmentalists, students, etc.

The civic organizations also want changes to the Referendum Act 
including the abolition of the requirement that at least 700 000 
signatures should be collected for the initiating of a referendum, and 
entitling the Ombudsman to initiate a referendum.

The protesters are in favor of the introduction of a mixed ballot 
system. While Bulgaria's present electoral system has purely 
proportional representation with at least 4% of the votes required to 
enter Parliament, they demand the introduction of a mixed system with 
majority representation elements such as preferential ticket ranking of 
the MP candidates by the voters, and the lowering of the threshold for 
entering Parliament to only 1,2% of the cast votes.

The organizers are threatening with continuing protests and civil 
disobedience unless all of their demands were met. Their declaration has 
been tabled to the Parliament.

Any fears of street riots instigated by paid provocateurs during 
Wednesday's protest - similar to the events a week ago - have failed to 
materialize. The police and the gendarmerie guarding the rally are about 
as many as the protesters themselves.







http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/university-students-support-police-protests/id_34081/catid_66

University students support police protests
Sat, Jan 17 2009 12:10 CET byPetar Kostadinov
Police officers will add to the fourth day of consecutive protest 
rallies in Sofia by staging their own demonstration on January 17 2009, 
Bulgarian-media said.

Since January 14 2009 university students, environmentalists, farmers, 
milk producers and pensioners have been staging protests against the 
current political situation in the country, inviting critics of 
Bulgaria's government to join them.

On January 14 2009 protests were brutally dispersed by police after they 
claimed to have received a bomb threat. On that occasion a group of 
young men, hiding their faces with scarfs, clashed with police. In the 
end police forcibly dispersed protesters, leading to accusations of 
brutality by the opposition.

Since then the protests, which university students have permission to 
stage until January 21 2009, have been conducted quietly but supervised 
by a heavy police presence.

Now, on January 17 2009, despite the accusations of brutality, 
university students said they would support protests by police officers 
who are demanding better working conditions and salary increases. This 
would be the third police officers' protest in 40 days. Police officers 
are banned from staging protests and making demands, but the law does 
not prevent them gathering when they are off duty.

Police officers' first protests took place on December 13 2008 in all 
major Bulgarian cities when thousands gathered to smoke. The group 
smoking was organised by police officers in an internet forum. It was 
prompted by the ministry's decision to cut police officers' Christmas 
bonuses because of the financial crisis.

The December 13 2008 "smoking" protest reaped dividends. The following 
week, the ministry decided to spend about 25 million leva on Christmas 
bonuses for 63 000 ministry employees.

However, this did not stop hundreds of police officers from protesting 
for a second straight weekend on December 21 2008. On this occasion they 
were demanding better equipment and salary increases. The second protest 
saw police gather to drink mineral water.

This, according to internet forums, will be on the agenda of the January 
17 2009 protest. Police officers are expected to gather outside the 
Interior Ministry building in Sofia and outside police departments in 
most cities.
According to Bulgarian-language Dnevnik, one of their demands is for a 
50 per cent salary increase. They also demand additional payment for 
nighttime duties and overtime as well as stricter punishments for people 
who offend or attack police officers. They also want more funds for 
food, clothing and equipment. They are also calling for a new police 
trade union be set up to replace the current one. According to internet 
forums, the Interior Ministry will be given one month to fulfil these 
demands.

Unlike the two previous occasions police officers said in their forums 
that in their upcoming protest they will form a group of negotiators to 
talk to the ministry. According to Dnevnik, however, Interior Minister 
Mihail Mikov will not be in Sofia today since he has gone to the small 
town of Belgoradchik to present the police department there with brand 
new police vehicles. However, the ministry said it was ready to talk to 
negotiators.

Meanwhile, another round of protests is scheduled for January 18 2009 by 
political movement Napred. Closely backed by energy tycoon Hristo 
Kovachki, together with trade unions, organisers expect several thousand 
people to gather in Sofia outside the National Palace of Culture (NDK). 
Protesters will demand the relaunch of units 3 and 4 of the Kozloduy 
nuclear power plant. These were shut down in 2007 as part of the deal on 
Bulgaria's accession to the European Union.

The possibility of reactivating the units is now back on the agenda amid 
the ongoing natural gas crisis. Both President Georgi Purvanov and Prime 
Minister Sergei Stanishev support the idea. The European Commission, 
however, has already expressed its opposition to the idea. Greece and 
Austria are firmly opposed, according to Economy and Energy Minister 
Petar Dimitrov.







http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100543

100 Protesters Mourn Bulgaria's Democracy before Parliament
Society | January 18, 2009, Sunday

Several dozens of protesters laid flowers before the Parliament Sunday 
mourning the Bulgarian democracy. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo 
Agency)
About one hundred people, mostly university student leaders and 
retirees, gathered Sunday for the fifth consecutive day of the daily 
protests in downtown Sofia.

The small number of protesters laid clove pinks and other flowers on the 
metal fences before the Parliamentary building, and lit candles "in 
memory of the stifled Bulgarian democracy and freedom of expression". 
They also wrapped some of the metal fences with toilet paper.

The impromptu mourning ceremony was guarded by a very small number of 
policemen, unlike the previous days of the protests.

The organizers have called off all protests for Monday and Tuesday but 
are expecting a huge protest rally before the Parliament on Wednesday.







http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/second-day-of-protests-in-sofia-ends-peacefully-amid-heavy-police-control/id_34052/catid_66

Second day of protests in Sofia ends peacefully amid heavy police control
Thu, Jan 15 2009 16:47 CET byPetar Kostadinov
The second day of protest outside Bulgaria's Parliament building, 
organised by university students, eco activists, farmers and pensioners 
ended peacefully, in contrast to the previous day when some participants 
clashed with police and 158 people were detained, Bulgarian media said 
on January 15 2009.
The January 15 protest, advertised by organisers as a forum for everyone 
to express discontent with the way Bulgaria is run, was well guarded by 
the police with checkpoints around Parliament. The checkpoints were put 
up by police in order to prevent people with criminal records joining 
the protests, to check people's identity documents and search for 
weapons, and in general to pre-empt any risk of conflict.
On January 14, a group of 15-20 people wearing scarves started throwing 
snowballs, and then stones, at police. Tensions rose sharply and when a 
municipal order was given to cut short the protest because of a bomb 
warning, there were clashes and arrests as police dispersed the crowd.
On January 15, MPs from the opposition joined the protests saying that 
they believed that their presence would discourage police from using 
force on protesters, Bulgarian-language Dnevnik daily said.
The third day of protest is scheduled for January 16 2009, again outside 
Parliament, starting 11am.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100540

Patching up Protest Apocalypse in Eastern Europe
Author: Ivan Dikov
Editorial | January 18, 2009, Sunday

Photo by Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)
T







http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/18/eu-riots-vilinius

Eastern Europe braced for a violent 'spring of discontent'
Riots and street battles are set to spread through Bulgaria, Romania and 
the Baltic states as inflation, unemployment and racism fuel tension, 
reports Jason Burke
• Jason Burke
• The Observer, Sunday 18 January 2009
Eastern Europe is heading for a violent "spring of discontent", 
according to experts in the region who fear that the global economic 
downturn is generating a dangerous popular backlash on the streets.
Hit increasingly hard by the financial crisis, countries such as 
Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic states face deep political 
destabilisation and social strife, as well as an increase in racial tension.
Last week protesters were tear-gassed as they threw rocks at police 
outside parliament in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, in a protest 
against an austerity package including tax rises and benefit cuts.
In Sofia, Bulgaria, 150 people were arrested and at least 30 injured in 
widespread violence. More than 100 were detained after street battles 
between security forces and demonstrators in the Latvian capital, Riga.
According to the most recent estimates, the economies of some eastern 
European countries, after posting double-digit growth for nearly a 
decade, will contract by up to 5% this year, with inflation peaking at 
more than 13%. Many fear Romania, which joined the European Union with 
Bulgaria in 2007, may be the next to suffer major breakdowns in public 
order.
"In a few months there will be people in the streets, that much is 
certain," said Luca Niculescu, a media executive in Bucharest. "Every 
day we hear about another factory shutting or moving overseas. There is 
a new government that has not shown itself too effective. We have got 
used to very high growth rates. It's an explosive cocktail."
Major Romanian companies threatening massive job cuts include low-cost 
car-maker Dacia, where up to 4,000 posts could go if sales do not 
recover. A spokeswoman for Renault, which owns Dacia, said such deep 
cuts would only be considered in a "catastrophic scenario", but 
production in Romania has already been halted for two months after local 
demand plunged by more than half. Other major companies have already 
announced plans to relocate, with one Japanese wire factory heading for 
Morocco.
Marius Oprea, security adviser to the last Romanian government, said the 
economic crisis would mean "serious problems for the middle class". He 
added: "There will be a fall in tax revenue which will lead to major 
problems for state budgets. The numbers of state employees will also be 
cut right back and their salaries will be worth less and less."
Another problem in Romania, as elsewhere in the region, is that many new 
middle-class house owners have taken out mortgages in euros. With local 
currencies collapsing, repayment is becoming harder.
"We will try dialogue but if that does not work we will defend our 
members' interest however we can," said one Romanian trade unionist last 
week. "We want to be part of the solution, not the problem, but the 
situation is very serious."
Dr Jonathan Eyal, a regional specialist at the Royal United Services 
Institute thinktank in London, said eastern European countries were 
ill-equipped to deal with the impact of the global downturn and risked 
"social meltdown".
"These are often fragile economies ... with brittle political 
structures, political parties that are not very well formed and weak 
institutions. They are ill-prepared for what has hit them," Eyal said. 
"Last year it was the core western European countries which were shaky; 
now it is the weaker periphery that are getting the full blast of the 
crisis."
The reasons for last week's unrest are varied. Bulgarian students were 
protesting over the death of one of their number in an apparently random 
criminal attack, blaming the Socialist-led government for failing to 
ensure security. They were joined by farmers angry at low prices for 
their produce and problems with EU subsidies often diverted by corrupt 
administrators.
Tensions have been exacerbated by the gas crisis, in which Bulgaria has 
suffered severe heating and power shortages since Moscow turned off the 
taps following a dispute with Ukraine.
"We are fed up with living in the poorest and most corrupt country," the 
Sofia protest organisers said in a statement. "This unique protest 
unites the people in their wish for change and their wish to live in a 
normal European country."
In Latvia, years of strong economic growth have given way to recession, 
soaring inflation and rising unemployment. Trust in the state's 
authority and officials has fallen catastrophically, said President 
Valdis Zatlers last week, threatening to call snap elections.
Most of those arrested in last week's disturbances in Riga have now been 
released. According to security police chief Janis Reiniks, the detained 
were "jobless, workers, students and school children" and included "one 
[person] connected to the Latvian Democratic Party and one skinhead".
Last year Latvia was forced to ask the International Monetary Fund for a 
£6.25bn bail-out package, fuelling a jingoistic backlash against a 
perceived "national humiliation".
Some eastern European states appear to be resisting better, however. The 
Estonian government built up substantial currency reserves during years 
of rapid growth. "Everyone knows this year is going to be very tough. 
But in Riga and Vilnius they are exhausted and angry and have lost faith 
in their leaders; that is not the case here," said Raimo Poom, political 
editor of Tallinn-based newspaper Esti Paevaleht.
One fear is a rise in attacks on ethnic minorities. The Czech Republic, 
also hit badly by the crisis, saw its worst street violence for years 
recently when 700 members of the far-right Workers' Party clashed with 
1,000 riot police in the town of Litvinov whenthey were prevented from 
marching into a mostly Roma area. "The populist, nationalist political 
climate [in eastern Europe] is very conducive to anti-minority 
sentiment," said Larry Olomoofe of the European Roma Rights Centre in 
Budapest.
The recent history of the region aggravates the crisis, say experts. 
"You have people who were buoyed up through a very bad period after the 
collapse of the USSR, when their economies contracted by up to a third 
by a belief that joining the EU would bring them prosperity and 
stability," Eyal said.
"It is that aspiration that has been disappointed and that is very 
destabilising."
Europe's flashpoints
Bulgaria
Population 7 million. Troubled by corruption and political instability. 
Dozens of people, including 14 police, injured during riots in Sofia 
last week.
Latvia
Population 2.2 million. Centre-right government likely to call elections 
after riots over harsh conditions following IMF bail-out.
Lithuania
Population 3.5 million. Street clashes and 86 arrests after 7,000 people 
attended a Vilnius rally called by trade unions to protest at public 
sector pay cuts, reduced social security payments, an increase in VAT 
and an end to tax breaks on medicine and home heating.
Estonia
Population 1.4 million. So far calm, and government has more reserves of 
cash and public confidence than elsewhere, but a 3.5% contraction in the 
economy in the third quarter of last year is likely to cause problems. 
Support for the prime minister, Andrus Ansip, and his government is 
falling quickly.





http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100491

Sofia Municipality Extends Protest Permit by Five Days
Politics | January 16, 2009, Friday

The Sofia municipality has approved the holding of protest rallies and a 
human chain in front of the Parliament building in downtown Sofia for an 
extra five days. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
The Sofia municipality has approved the holding of protest rallies and a 
human chain in front of the Parliament building in downtown Sofia for an 
extra five days.

The Municipality has authorized protests on January 17, 18, 19, 20 and 
21 from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm.

The request received by the City Hall has been signed by representatives 
of college students' and other civic and non-governmental organizations 
including the Union for Development and Social Control over College 
Dormitories and Cafeterias and the Civic Union for Protection of 
Students in the "Studentski Grad" (College Town) district.

The municipality further mandates that all demonstrations must be held 
outside the Parliament's security area.

Sofia residents should brace for heavy traffic during the work week 
because the City Hall informs that one of main thoroughfares in downtown 
Sofia - the "Tzar Osvoboditel" Boulevard will be closed for traffic from 
10:30 am until 7:30 pm during each day of the protests.

The demonstrators have declared that they would support the Saturday 
protest rally of Sofia's policemen, despite the violence and police 
beatings during the first day of the protests.

The main demand of the protests' organizers it the resignation of the 
Cabinet.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2009/01/16/192268/Anti-gov%27t-protest.htm

Updated Friday, January 16, 2009 10:11 am TWN, AP
Anti-gov't protest held in Bulgaria for 2nd day
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Bulgarians have held a rally outside parliament for 
the second day to demand that their government resign because of alleged 
corruption and a deepening economic crisis. Some 2,000 students, farmers 
and medical workers held Thursday's rally shouting, “resignation” and 
“mafia.” Opposition lawmakers who have demanded an early election also 
left a parliament session and joined the protesters. The next 
parliamentary election is due this summer.
Hundreds of riot police cordoned off Parliament in an attempt to prevent 
a repetition of Wednesday's violence, during which protesters hurled 
stones and bottles at the building and clashed with police. Dozens of 
people were injured, including 14 police officers.





http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100463

Bulgaria Opposition Leaves Parliament, Joins Protest Rally
Politics | January 15, 2009, Thursday
The Bulgarian rightist Opposition left the Parliament building to join 
the protest rally as a sign of solidarity with the demonstrators, the 
Darik radio reports Thursday.

"While those ruling the country choose to hide behind the thick walls of 
the Parliament, we will be outside, with the demonstrators, " the Chair 
of Union of Democratic Forces Party (UDF) Martin Dimitrov stated.

Earlier, during the Parliamentary session, the leader of the Democrats 
for Strong Bulgaria Party (DSB) Ivan Kostov demanded the resignation of 
Interior Minister Mihail Mikov over the Wednesday police brutality and 
violence exerted by policemen while dispersing the demonstrators.

"Mikov bears full responsibility about the Wednesday violence," Kostov 
stated.

The representative of the ruling ethnic Movement for Rights and Freedoms 
Turkish Party (MRF) Lyutvi Mestan defended the Interior Minister by 
saying that it was not up to the Police to distinguish between peaceful 
protesters and hooligans."

In the mean time about 1,000 protesters, gathered for a second day to 
demand the Cabinet's resignation, shouted "Bring Them Out."







http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100455

Sofia Braces for Second Day of Protests
Society | January 15, 2009, Thursday

Students, farmers and representatives of environmental organizations are 
preparing a second day of protest in downtown Sofia Thursday. Photo by 
Yuliana Nikolova and Nadya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)
Students, farmers and representatives of environmental organizations are 
preparing for a second day of protests in downtown Sofia Thursday.

The protest rally is scheduled again for 11:00 am and will be held in 
front of the Parliament building. Students expect that the Wednesday 
violence would not be repeated as they hope to eliminate actions and 
provocations that could trigger a strong police response.

Kuncho Dragnev from the college student organization Union for 
Development and Social Control over Student Dormitories and Cafeterias 
stated that the Wednesday riot brought the country back by 20 years.

"We believe the Police yesterday were prepared to exert violence on 
people. We appealed to them numerous times to isolate the provocateurs - 
they were on the left side of the Parliament building. About 20 masked 
people easily distinguished from the rest. The Police did not do 
anything to subdue them, but later attacked even the protest 
organizers," Dragnev said.

Adrian Tsakonski, the well known leader of the Bulgarian milk producers 
and organizer of numerous farmers' protests, has also confirmed their 
participation in the Thursday rally.

Representatives of student, environmental, rural, retiree, parent, 
youth, medical and other organizations gathered Wednesday in front of 
the building of the Bulgarian Parliament in Sofia to demand the 
resignation of the Cabinet and voice many other requests.

The violence was allegedly triggered by football fans trying to remove 
guarding fences and throwing them at the Police. Some policemen have 
been injured by flying rocks, bottles and homemade bombs, often used 
during football matches.

After an order issued by the Sofia Deputy Mayor, Police in riot gear 
used batons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators from the square 
in front of the Parliament and pushed them into adjacent streets. 
According to eyewitness' reports, the Police "literally smashed" the rally.

The demonstrators then broke into several groups. One of them marched in 
the direction of the National Palace of Culture while the other walked 
towards one of Sofia's main thoroughfares "Tsarigradsko Shosse", and 
blocked traffic in the area of "Orlov Most" (Eagle Bridge). The Police 
managed to open the road half an hour later.

The area near the Parliament remained closed and fenced off all through 
the night with heavy police presence.

About 170 people (22 minors among them) have been arrested, there are 
reports of damaged police cars and public transportation buses and 
broken store windows while hospitals say 19 people have reported to 
their emergency rooms to be treated from injuries sustained during the 
Police beatings. Many more are believed to have been hurt by Police 
brutality.







http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_1346626901

SDS-Sofia demands renewal of protests
Updated on: 14.01.2009, 14:46
Published on: 14.01.2009, 14:10
Author: Stefan Nikolov
Font size: a a a
SDS-Sofia demands an immediate restoration of the issued by Mayor Boyko 
Borissov order for a ban of the meeting in front of the Parliament, 
which violates the civil rights of Sofia residents.
In a letter addressed to Borissov, the management of the party writes 
"If this order is not repealed - we will consider that through your 
actions You become a part of the status quo of the failed ruling party!"
"The repeal of the decision for protest sets the police loose and blood 
is being spilt on Sofia streets once again!" the announcement reads.






http://www.seeurope.net/?q=node/16810

BULGARIA: Downtown Sofia Braces for Mass Protest Rally
14.01.2009 Bulgaria | Politics
Rating
Student, environmental and rural organizations are staging a mass 
protest rally in front of the Parliament building at 11:00 am Wednesday.
Many other organizations - retiree, parent, youth, medical, etc. have 
also confirmed their participation.
The demonstrators have a total of 19 demands among them paying farmers 
all overdue amounts for 2008 by the end of the month, reducing the 
deadline for money transfer for an approved farming project from the EU 
Program for the Development of Rural Areas from 4 months to 1 month, 
direct participation of branch organizations in the "Agriculture" Fund, 
rescinding the "Natura 2000" changes.
On their part, college students request the creation of a strategy for 
higher education and scientific research with a March deadline and a law 
for academic autonomy, turning the so-called college towns into student 
campuses with increased security, control over State spending, end of 
all corruption practices.
Protesting policemen demand better pay and work conditions and increased 
social protection.
The common goal of all rally participants is the resignation of the 
current Cabinet.
Source: SNA






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100426

Downtown Sofia Braces for Mass Protest Rally
Politics | January 14, 2009, Wednesday

Student, environmental and rural organizations are staging a mass 
protest rally in front of the Parliament building at 11:00 am Wednesday. 
Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
Student, environmental and rural organizations are staging a mass 
protest rally in front of the Parliament building at 11:00 am Wednesday.

Many other organizations - retiree, parent, youth, medical, etc. have 
also confirmed their participation.

The demonstrators have a total of 19 demands among them paying farmers 
all overdue amounts for 2008 by the end of the month, reducing the 
deadline for money transfer for an approved farming project from the EU 
Program for the Development of Rural Areas from 4 months to 1 month, 
direct participation of branch organizations in the "Agriculture" Fund , 
rescinding the "Natura 2000" changes.

On their part, college students request the creation of a strategy for 
higher education and scientific research with a March deadline and a law 
for academic autonomy, turning the so-called college towns into student 
campuses with increased security, control over State spending, end of 
all corruption practices.

Protesting policemen demand better pay and work conditions and increased 
social protection.

The common goal of all rally participants is the resignation of the 
current Cabinet.







http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_295902949

Civil protest in front of the National Assembly
Updated on: 28.01.2009, 12:14
Published on: 28.01.2009, 12:08
Author: Stefan Nikolov
Font size: a a a
The next protest of students, ecologists, mothers, pensioners and 
cardiologists will take place at 15.00 o'clock on the square in front of 
the National Assembly.
The last national protest took place on January 21, when protesters 
demanded from the parliament to satisfy their requirements by January 
27, otherwise the will start civil disobedience.
Their main demand is the resignation of the Internal Affairs Minister 
Mihail Mikov, who according to the protesters is the major culprit for 
the bloody clashes from January 14.
The municipality announces that changes will be made in the organization 
of Sofia transport.
The organizers of the protest announced that measures will be taken 
against possible provocateurs and instigators of violence.
There will also be a protest in Varna from 16.00 on "Nezavisimost" 
square. "Electronic boundary" announced themselves against internet 
spying and insist that the total control of Bulgarian citizens is 
stopped. The creation of laws is not a "work done with client 
materials", but serious and responsible business with a thought the 
people", a special declaration of the association reads.






http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=100468

27 Bulgarian Hooligans Sentenced after Wednesday's Street Riot in Sofia
Crime | January 15, 2009, Thursday

27 hooligans have already been sentenced for instigating violence during 
what was supposed to be a peaceful protest before the Bulgarian 
Parliament on Wednesday. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Twenty-seven of the some 180 persons who were detained by the police 
during Wednesday's street riot in downtown Sofia have been sentenced in 
quick trials, the Sofia District Court announced.

Seven district judges were summoned Wednesday night to three police 
departments in the Bulgarian capital to look at the charges on the spot.

Of the total of 37 persons, who were charged with stirred violence 
during the civic protest rally before the Parliament, 27 have been 
sentenced under the Ordinance for Combating Minor Hooliganism. Nine have 
been acquitted.

Four persons were sentenced to fines of BGN 30, eight got fines of BGN 
50, nine - of BGN 100, and five - of BGN 200. Only one of the charged 
persons got a sentence of a five-day imprisonment.

One of the detainees is underage, born in 1991, so his case has been 
sent to the Committee for Combating Anti-Society Acts Committed by Minors.

Dozens more of the alleged hooligans are going to be tried on Thursday 
at several police departments around Sofia. The District Court decided 
to send the judges on the spot in order to save the police time and 
efforts in transporting the suspects.







http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_1528338921

Massive demonstration of young people in front of the National Assembly
Updated on: 10.01.2009, 17:30
Published on: 10.01.2009, 17:15
Author: Diana Stoykova
Font size: a a a
Massive demonstration of students, Internet bloggers, environmentalists, 
non-governmental organizations and young scientists will flood Sofia on 
January 14, "Monitor" reports.
January 14 is the first day of work after the Christmas holidays for 
Bulgarians members of Parliament for 2009.
The demonstrators will state their demands at 11 a.m. in front of the 
National Assembly. For the last two days the Internet has been literally 
flooded by calls for everyone's joining the demonstration against 
corruption and political ineffieciency.
"For years we've been living on the bottom, we've been living in a 
country governed by the mafia, lawlessness and amnesia. We can take it 
no more! Let's show our politicians we care, and we are not asleep and 
we won't tolerate them any more!"
More than 1500 students are expected t take part in the second 
demonstration against violence in Students' Town.
"We have permission from Sofia Municipality. What the police has done up 
till now is not enough"
"The most urgent change needs to deal with the bars and clubs. Students' 
Town needs to be taken back to the students again!", Adriana Ivanova, 
speakswoman of the students organization "SROKSOZ" states.
The environmentalists also have their cause:
The reason for the protests this time is "the disgusting and criminal 
law, passed for second consideration by the Agriculture and Forests 
Committee against the forest of Bulgaria, which is to be voted for in 
the National Assembly in the first sessions by Bulgarian MPs", 
forthenature.org writes.