Bulgarian Ed Minister Spurns Researchers, Fresh Protests Loom

Bulgarian Minister of Education Sergei Ignatov has unexpectedly cancelled a scheduled meeting Tuesday with representatives of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences without giving a reason.

The meeting was called to discuss the grave problems Bulgarian science is facing with radical cuts in state funding, following renewed large-scale protests last week, at which the Academy demanded more support within the state budget for 2011.

At the protest last Wednesday BAS President Nikola Sabotinov had demanded to meet with PM Boyko Borisov, who sent the Minister of Education in his stead, which was deemed inacceptable by Sabotinov.

The Academy nevertheless scheduled a meeting of its representatives with Ignatov, which the latter has now chosen not to observe.

"No explanation has been given and no prior appointment can justify this slighting attitude towards the largest resarch institution in the country," stated Academy representatives as quoted by Dnevnik.bg.

Last week Minister Ignatov had stated that there are no additional funds for science anyway.

BAS is scheduling a fresh protest in central Sofia Wednesday morning.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!