Thousands rally in support of the cabinet

Protesters filled the squares in a number of cities, raising the slogan “No to hatred!” The rallies were organized by “DPS-New Beginning” – Delyan Peevski’s party, which is the informal fourth coalition partner in the three-party coalition that formed the current government.

The demonstrations took place on the eve of a vote of no confidence against the cabinet’s economic policy and a protest against the country’s government organised by the opposition coalition “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”.

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According to the party press center of “DPS-New Beginning”, the protests are against the political tension instilled by the opposition, provocations and attempts to destabilize the state before the introduction of the euro and the adoption of the state budget.
Earlier, Vice President Iliana Iotova called the event a “party counter-protest” and stated that everything possible must be done to preserve civil peace. She described the use of the ethnic card as worrying: “According to me, it is extremely reckless to use such arguments today, especially since they do not exist.”

In Kardzhali, where traditionally many people vote for DPS, thousands of people gathered, Galina Kyuchukova from BNR Kardzhali reported. Several buses with citizens were noticed during the protest, although organized transportation was not officially announced. Some people were not aware of the purpose of the rally, while others said that they were there to support the messages of unity.

“The protest is in defence of stability in the state, in support of the government of the Republic of Bulgaria,” the organizers said. The leader of “DPS-New Beginning” did not appear on the tribune.

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Earlier in the day, the mayor of Botevgrad Ivan Gavalyugov banned a rally of “DPS-New Beginning” due to the rising wave of dissatisfaction among citizens, their intention to start a counter-protest and the assumption that supporters from other settlements would participate in the event, as the city lacks an active party structure.

“Bulgarians are outraged by the arrogance and the provocations that the oligarchs arrange to discredit the protest of free people,” President Rumen Radev said. He added that the rulers have invented a new genre – a protest in support of the authorities: “In the past, we called this a manifestation, but it cannot hide the obvious – the dissatisfaction is massive.”

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Photos: BTA