Protesters across Bulgaria demand fair elections and Peevski’s removal

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Bulgaria on Tuesday, calling for fair elections and the removal from power of Delyan Peevski, leader of DPS–New Beginning. Organised by the We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) alliance, the demonstrations were held in Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv, Ruse and other cities.

Protesters demanded early parliamentary elections conducted with 100% machine voting and called for the resignation of acting chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov. The rallies passed without any incidents, and the organisers said that they would maintain a state of readiness.

“We face a long and difficult road to take our country back and remove the mafia from it. That road begins with fair elections,” said We Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev, addressing demonstrators in Sofia’s so-called triangle of power.

Vassilev thanked supporters for turning out, adding: 'The government may have resigned, but we are not done with it. We won’t be done until elections are scheduled, so there must be no relaxing.” He said it was possible that attempts would be made to form another government within the current parliament.

He also announced that following the initial approval by the internal security committee of parliament of a proposal to withdraw state security protection from GERB leader Boyko Borissov and Peevski, signatures would be collected on Wednesday to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session to put the issue to a vote. “We will take away your security before this parliament leaves,” he said.

Separately, the Justice for All civic initiative organised a protest outside the Palace of Justice in Sofia, calling for the replacement of acting chief prosecutor Sarafov, whose mandate has expired. Speakers accused Sarafov of serving the interests of DPS–New Beginning.

The two protests later merged following a march, ending with the singing of the Bulgarian national anthem.

The protest on Tuesday evening also produced a new chant: “When Peevski falls, we will stand united and send him to prison.”

Editor: Diana Tsankova
Posted in English by E. Radkova