WSJ: Bulgaria's Premier Promises Plan to Restore Stability

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski (front) is pictured here in parliament on Thursday during the debates of a controversial revision of the country’s budget for 2013, which was eventually approved. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Plamen Oresharski Brushed Off Demands For His Resignation

By Sean Carney

The Wall Street Journal

Bulgaria's prime minister urged the country to remain calm Thursday and promised a plan to restore political stability after anticorruption protests turned violent this week.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks denouncing corruption and influence peddling, and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski and his cabinet.

The protests follow controversial appointments, including parliament's decision in June to put a legislator who controls a network of national newspapers and television channels to become the country's security chief. On Tuesday night, nearly 20 people were injured in a melee between police and protesters who had surrounded parliament.

Mr. Oresharski has brushed aside the demands for his resignation. In a statement Thursday, he said his government has a "clear plan of stabilization and urgent measures to improve the social situation."

"It is extremely important at this point [that] institutions live up to their responsibilities…and that all social groups be willing to engage in dialogue for the sake of preserving the authority of a European Bulgaria and for the security of all Bulgarian citizens," he said in his first statement since the clashes.

His statement didn't include any specifics of the plan.

The prime minister said the violence was alarming and praised the police for their handling of the situation. Four people were arrested, but police would not say if they had been charged or released. Police also didn't respond to accusations by organizers of the protests that officers used excessive force.

Mr. Oresharski said the nation needs consensus "to resolve the crisis and for the recovery of the state, justice and the development of Bulgaria."

"Democracy is incompatible with the forcible imposition of anyone's will over the will of others. The rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution…are not subject to revision," Mr. Oresharski said.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev Wednesday condemned the violence and said politicians need to listen to the demands of the protesters. Both the president and prime minister are urging all parties to seek a negotiated solution to the crisis.

Meanwhile Bulgaria's Attorney General Sotir Tsatsarov said he wants an investigation to determine who authorized the use of force and which police officers were involved. The officers could potentially be prosecuted for overstepping their powers.

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