Bulgarian Consumers Rise against German Power Utility EON

200 people rallied in Varna protesting against EON bills and procedures. Photo by Darik Varna

Over 200 people rallied in Bulgaria’s Varna Tuesday against the policies of the local German-owned power utility EON.

The protest was organized by the nationalist party VMRO but enjoyed a high turnout on part of politically unaffiliated citizens who were outraged at their monthly electricity bills that they claim are unjustifiably high. A number of them showed the letters which they received from EON with four-digit monthly bills (in BGN), and complained that based on the “fake” bills, their power supplies have been cut off, and the utility has no intention of restoring them.

“This is my monthly bill – BGN 1117 – for one month! If they don’t restore my power supply in five days, I will sue them. I will sue them as long as I am alive,” said an agitated protester quoted by Darik Radio.

The banners of the protesters read “EON=Mafia” and “EON Get Out of Varna”. The VMRO party has started collecting signatures in support of a petition to revoke the license of the German company. It is planning to hold similar rallies all across Northeastern Bulgaria.

The German-owned company EON Bulgaria is the electricity provider for the northeastern part of the country, including the cities of Varna, Ruse, and Veliko Tarnovo.

The rally was guarded by a large number of policemen. Because of the big crowd of protesters in front of it, the customer service center of EON in Varna was closed for the day. A note on the door said that its office hours will be extended for the next three days – from 7 am till 7 pm.

Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) has received an email (READ HERE) from a reader who wish to become anonymous with respect to the EON company and Tuesday’s protest rally. The letter reads:

“I have been to try and get my electricity reconnected today only to find a large protest and many police outside the offices in Varna. I have just returned from the UK yesterday with a small baby only to find my electric has been stopped, I am more than happy to pay my bill but today nobody want's to take my money or can tell me when the offices will be open and when I can have my electricity supply restored.“

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