Thousands Rally against Bulgarian Govt on Day 43
Domestic | July 27, 2013, Saturday // 11:57| viewsBulgarians gathered for the 43rd consecutive evening on Independence Square in downtown Sofia to request the resignation of the Socialist-endorsed government. Photo by BGNES
Thousands of Bulgarians have taken once again to the streets of the capital Sofia Friday evening to demand the resignation of the country's government for a 43rd day in a row.
The rally was once again peaceful and no incidents have been reported. The only violent clashes with riot police occurred last Tuesday night when lawmakers and ministers were blockaded by protesters inside the Parliament for 8 hours.
The initial attendance at the traditional start at 6:30 pm was low, but also traditionally, as the evening advanced, more and more streamed to Independence square in front of the Council of Ministers building.
According to the official data of the Interior Ministry, 1 000 people have been there at 7 pm and 2 000 at 8 pm.
Initially, the protesters were divided in two major groups – one waved Bulgarian national and EU flags in front of the Office of the President, while the other was shouting "resignation" near the Council of Ministries headquarters.
Independence square and "Dondukov" and "Tsar Liberator" boulevards were closed for traffic.
Around 8 pm, the rally started its traditional route and moved in the direction of the Parliament where it toured the building and then stopped on the square facing its main entrance.
Many were still waiving the national and EU flags and holding various anti-government banners. People were blowing whistles, hissing, and shouting "resignation."
There was very large riot police presence.
The rally dispersed around 10 pm, but small groups of people remained in the vicinity of the Parliament. Some lit candles.
There is a table near the "Tsar Liberator" monument on the square in front of the Parliament where signatures for the resignation of the Socialist-endorsed Cabinet of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski, are collected. There is also a box for donations for the families of the miners who died in a coal mine collapse in southwestern Bulgaria.
Smaller protests were held in the cities of Plovdiv, Varna, and Sliven.
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