Miners and energy workers protest in the centre of Sofia

A protest of energy workers and miners blocked the centre of Sofia before noon on April 25. The national rally was organised by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the "Podkrepa" trade union. The protesters demand postponement of the deadline for the liberalisation of the electricity market and protection of jobs in the energy and coal mining sectors.

The protest took place in front of the buildings of the Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

Workers of the Maritsa East complex, Bobov Dol thermal power plant, Brickel thermal power plant and Pernik thermal power plant took part in it.

Energy workers and miners insist that the coal-fired power plants continue to operate after the liberalisation of the electricity market.

"What does liberalisation of the market mean for domestic consumers - this, dear viewers, means paying European electricity prices with your Bulgarian income. It is quite clear that this is an impossible task for us. There was going to be a law for the energy poor. All sorts of delays, all sorts of twists and turns. None of this is available," Rostislav Rashev said.

"Once again we are here and will continue to be here until our demands are met and let the whole of Bulgaria understand that we are not only defending the miners' labour, but the whole of Bulgaria so that we can have energy independence and national security," said Darina Koleva.

"The mines in Pernik closed some time ago, now the TPP is the main one that supplies electricity and heat in Pernik. If it is also closed, then the region is also a victim," Stefan Marinov is adamant.

The protest lasted almost two hours. The energy workers and miners are demanding that the state purchase their electricity and that there be an adequate energy strategy. According to them, none of the points promised to them in October by the then government has been achieved. The space in the "Triangle of Power" (between the Council of Ministers, the Presidency and the Parliament building) remained closed to traffic, and the energy workers are adamant that they will continue the rally until they are heard.