Bulgarian Protesters Rise against State Railways Privatization

Protesters blocking railway tracks at the central rail station in Bulgarian capital Sofia. Photo by OffNews.bg

Protesters in Bulgarian capital Sofia, and in major city of Varna have blocked the cities' main railway stations to show their disapproval of the ongoing bid to privatize the freight unit of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ).

In Varna, ralliers have assembled on the 29th day of protests against economic stagnation in Bulgaria, and this time over blocked all exits from Varna's railway station.

In Sofia, protesters blocked the intersection of major Maria Luiza and Slivnitsa Blvds near the central railway station, and got down on the train tracks, blocking all of them.

People assembled in Varna are over 5,000, while those in Sofia number more than 1,000, according to media reports.

They are carrying signs such as "Bulgaria, Wake Up!", "Future for the Young" and "BDZ is not for sale, BDZ is not for grabs!"

People are shouting out slogans such as "Mafia!" and are requesting a stop to the privatization procedure for BDZ Freight Transportation.

Bulgaria's now resigned government launched the freight unit's privatization in 2012 in a bid to cover BDZ's extensive debts.

Opposers have argued that the debts are due to chronic mismanagement, and that the state will not profit from selling the Railway's cargo services, which are the company's more profitable unit.

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