Varna City Hall Blockaded by Disgruntled Bulgarians

Varna was named "the capital of Bulgarian protests," as locals staged the most massive rallies in the country. Photo by BGNES

Protesting people in Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Varna staged a human chain Friday morning blocking the entrances of the City Hall.

They stretched ropes and declared the blockade will last two hours. The demand is the resignation of the Municipal Council and all supervisors in the City Hall.

The demonstrators are shouting "Mafia," and "Resignation." No one, including employees, have been able to enter the building.

Two tents have been erected nearby with two men threatening a hunger strike if the municipal councilors refuse to quit.

There is strong police presence in the area.

Recently Varna saw the largest protest rallies (at times up to 70 000 people) as Bulgarians across the country staged mass demonstrations against high utility bills, monopolies, poverty, economic stagnation, corruption, and the political model of ruling the country after the fall of the Communist regime in 1989.

Fourth-term Mayor, Kiril Yordanov, resigned on March 6, again amidst huge protests.

Varna people also continue to pile rocks, stones and flowers near the City Hall where Plamen Goranov, 36, set himself on fire on February 20th, the very same day when the Cabinet of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and his Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB, resigned amidst the unprecedented since 1997 protests.

The self-made monument was inspired by a well-known poem of Bulgarian national poet Ivan Vazov, dubbed "Heap of Stones" in sign of indignation and protest against Yordanov.

Goranov died on March 3, which many have seen as symbolic since the day is the country's national holiday when Bulgaria celebrates its liberation from 5 centuries of Ottoman rule.

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