Protesting Students Snub Bulgarian Ex-PM's Call for Cooperation

A student, taking part in anti-governmental protests, carries a banner, reading: “We can't take this any more.” Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

University students, who tried to blockade politicians inside the Bulgarian parliament as part of ongoing anti-governmental protests, have rejected future cooperation with the center-right GERB of former PM Boyko Borisov.

In a statement, circulated to the media, the students declared that they have no intention to join hands with the center-right party.

Their statement followed Borisov’s call for cooperation with the protesting students, who, in his words, “are waiting for him to spearhead the protests.”

“Mr Borisov, let's make one thing clear – you and the policy, which you embody, is against our ideology and our struggle to build a state, which takes care of its citizens and does not abandon them as you did," reads the statement of the students.

"You bled white the healthcare and education systems and strengthened shady structures, while Bulgarians set themselves on fire in despair. Your resignation was an act of a coward man and a PR move, but we will not allow you to use our protests for going back in power.”

Wednesday marked the 153rd day of relentless anti-government rallies in Bulgaria.

The protests were triggered by the appointment of controversial media mogul Delyan Peevski as Chair of the State Agency for National security (DANS) in June – and were fueled by a number of other controversial appointments and wider concerns about corruption.

The rallies were given a fresh boost as students staged full and partial blockades at a number of universities in October.

Tensions escalated on Tuesday, as police cracked down on a massive anti-graft rally in Sofia.

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