Protests in Bulgaria: Protesters’ blockades lifted by police, social unrest continues

In the early hours of Friday riot police removed protesters’ camps and blockades in the capital Sofia and across the country. Some 30 people were arrested on allegations of traffic hampering but later let free. Protesters leaders vowed to continue with the unrest.

Thursday evening social disobedience gained momentum because of the decision taken at the meeting of the ruling coalition which ruled out PM’s resignation. Boyko Borissov was firmly supported by the United Patriots – a block of two parties, coalition partners of GERB.

Vice Premier Valery Simeonov and leader of one of these parties announced the decision after the meeting. He told media that the coalition is determined to complete the term of the cabinet which ends in March 2020.

That decision blew up indignance on the 29th day of national protests. People marched on the party head office of the National Front for Saving Bulgaria whose leader Simeonov supports Borissov. Demonstrators threw tomatoes and eggs against the building. Valery Simeonov named that a shameful act. There were no other violations of order.

Around 4.30 am Friday riot police attacked protesters camps in Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and on the road between Stara Zagora and Haskovo which runs into the motorway leading to Turkey.

Vice Premier Simeonov told BNT that the decision of lifting all the blockades by police force had been taken at yesterday’s meeting of the government coalition.

Traffic has been restored at all three major squares in Sofia which were blocked by protesters camps.