Parliament Speaker: Politically Motivated Blockade Mars Bulgaria

The night blockade of the Bulgarian Parliament was deliberately staged by "irresponsible politicians," stated Parliament Speaker Mihail Mikov.

"Looking for democratic and legal solutions within the framework of the Constitution is getting harder and harder," added the parliament chair.

"That is why I called on MPs to not go to work Wednesday. MPs have been elected not in order to work under ultimata, pressure and danger for their lives," said Mikov.

Opposition and formerly ruling party GERB has already stated it is requesting Mikov's resignation, because the Speaker does not have the power to call off an already scheduled sitting.

This comes after GERB, which have the largest MP group, for weeks boycotted the work of Parliament.

Tuesday, when GERB returned to the house to discuss a proposed budget update, thousands of protesters blockaded the building, holdin MPs for hours until the police could safely bring them out.

A police bus initially brought to rescue them was pelted with rocks and pavement stones.

"Yesterdy's situation again shows that irresponsible politicians are putting a stain on Bulgaria," stated Mikov at at a joint press conference with ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Sergey Stanishev Tuesday.

"We expect that the police, prosecution, and Sofia Municipality will start strictly applying the laws of the country," called the Parliament Speaker.

The overnight blockade of parliament was an esalation of weeks long anti-government protests in Bulgaria calling for new snap elections.

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