Bulgarian Socialists: Parliament Blockade Was Staged Vandalism

Sergey Stanishev, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, and of the Party of European Socialists, PES, photo by BGNES

The night blockade of the Bulgarian Parliament was an inexcusable act of vandalism that was politically orchestrated in advance, according to ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Sergey Stanishev.

"Last night we saw acts of violence, throwing of stones, breaking of street pavements, taking more than 100 people inside the parliament for hostages," stated Stanishev at a special press event Wednesday.

Some 109 MPs, parliament staff and journalists were trapped for hours in parliament by the crowd Tuesday evening, before police could safely take them out around 3.30 am Wednesday.

"At the moment that GERB returned to work in parliament, we had this happening. Apparently someone greatly wishes to bring them back to power," stated Stanishev.

Tuesday MPs from former ruling party GERB returned to the house to discuss a state budget update tabled by cabinet, after weeks of boycotting work.

"Early elections will only cement the status quo against which people are protesting," stated Stanishev, adding that he supports PM Plamen Oresharski's not submitting his resignation.

Wednesday GERB came out with a declaration urging the PM to resign and calling for snap elections.

People have been protesting in Bulgaria for 40 days straight now, demanding that Oresharski resign, after a string of controversial appointments.

However, many of them say they are also protesting against GERB and the existing political system at large, which they see as dominated by a shady oligarchy,

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