60% of Bulgarians Support University Blockades - Poll

The main building of the St. Kliment Orhidski Sofia University with an 'Occupation' sign hanging since October 22. Photo Facebook

College students' protests are supported by 60% of Bulgarians, while 36% are against them, according to a recent poll.

The data comes from a nationally representative survey of the polling agency "Alfa Research," conducted among 1030 people between October 26 and 31, 2013.

Approval of protests dominates in all types of locations; it is relatively higher in the capital Sofia and in smaller towns (64-67 %) and slightly lower (59-56 %) in regional cities and in villages.

The trend is reversed only in the group of people over the age of 60, who are the most polarized - 47% approval of student blockades against 52% disapproval.

The student occupations begin to crack one of the most promoted suggestions that protesters, whoever they may be, are not guided by a moral cause and by outrage from the model of ruling the country, but are paid to protest by the political opposition, comment sociology experts from "Alfa Research."

Two thirds of Bulgarians, 64%, stand behind the idea that student protests are "spontaneous, driven by a sense of justice," 29% respond they are "paid and serve partisan interests."

A new point in public attitudes is that even 20% of people who, for one reason or another do not support the protest actions, are of the opinion that students are exponents of fair moral rebellion, not self-serving party interest.

Expectations about the protests also disprove reports that they are weakening - 58% of respondents believe that they will grow, and 41% - that they will run out before they "wake up" other social groups.

Understandably, the majority of people who support the protests are more optimistic about their development and their opponents have higher expectations of failure, say polling experts.

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