Protest paralysis
Eastern approaches 2013-09-11
Summary:
AFTER forty days of peaceful demonstrations against the Socialist-led coalition government of Plamen Orecharski, tensions on Sofia’s Independence Square rose sharply on July 23rd. Legislators stayed in Parliament later than usual to vote a first draft of a highly controversial budget update. The government proposed a new debt emission of one billion BGN, but never explained where 40 % of the sum will go. With trust in both the cabinet and parliament below 15 %, thousands of protesters interpreted this as theft and blocked all exits of the parliament building, trapping scores of MPs, three cabinet ministers and several journalists inside. In contrast to a destructive invasion of parliament in 1997 when mass rallies toppled another Socialist government, protesters did not attempt to breach doors or battle with police. Around midnight MPs demanded to be released which prompted a bloody police operation: police put legislators in a coach and attempted to force it through the crowds.
“Riot police wedged into the protesters, attempting to clear a path. To stop the bus, people sat and lay on the ground, extending empty hands. I saw women...Continue reading