Bulgarian PM Wants Consensus on Disputed Forestry Act

Bulgaria's controversial Forestry Act that sparked mass protests in the country will not return for a new reading in the Parliament until there is a wide consensus on it, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has reiterated.

On Monday, environmental protesters, entrepreneurs and the government held talks once again, failing to reach an agreement on the controversial amendment that would allow the construction of ski tracks and lifts without changing the status of the land.

The eco activists insist that construction activities in the mountains should require payment of a fee for the change of the status of use of the land, which continues to be the main hurdle for the agreement.

Borisov's ruling centrist-right GERB will support President Rosen Plevneliev's veto on the Forestry Act, GERB MP and chair of the parliamentary committee on agriculture Desislava Taneva has stated, as cited by the Bulgarian National Television.

Plevneliev's move came after thousands of Bulgarian nature lovers and other citizens opposing the Forestry Act staged several protest rallies in the area of the key intersection of Orlov Most (Eagles Bridge) in Sofia starting Wednesday evening.

Protesters against the presidential veto on blocked the E-79 road to Greece near the town of Simitli little on Sunday, their protest allegedly being instigated by GERB.

Bulgaria's Parliament now has 2 weeks to revise or re-adopt the legislation, without the President having the powers to impose a second veto.

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