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The police used tear gas and pepper spray in the serious clashes. The protesters accuse the prime minister of mafia methods.
In the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, serious clashes between protesters critical of the government and the police broke out in front of the parliament. At least 55 people were injured in Wednesday’s protests, authorities said. At least 95 people were reportedly arrested.
The protests are directed against Prime Minister Boris Borisov, whom the protesters accuse of corruption and proximity to the oligarchs. Thousands of protesters chanted “resignation” and “mafia” in the center of Sofia. Some of the protesters threw smoke bombs, fireworks, rocks, and bottles at the parliament building. The situation worsened when some protesters tried to break a police cordon around the parliament building.
Burns, breathing problems
The armed forces equipped with protective shields took action against the protesters and cleared the area around Parliament. Police used pepper spray, tear gas and exploded grenades. Many of those injured in the hospital had burns or had difficulty breathing. According to the authorities, 37 policemen were among the injured. Therefore, the remaining injured were not only protesters but also journalists.
Police Chief Georgi Khadschiev rejected accusations by human rights activists that the forces had been disproportionately harsh. According to his information, the detainees included soccer ultras known to the police.
The constitutional reform plan fuels the protest
The protests were prompted by the government’s plans to amend the constitution. On Wednesday, Borisov’s Gerb party received the necessary 120 votes in parliament to take the proposal one step further. However, observers doubt that the government will get the 160 votes it needs to move to the next stage of the process.
Critics accuse Borisov that the constitutional reform does not provide for greater responsibility for the head of the Bulgarian prosecution. Current chief prosecutor Ivan Geschew also faces calls for his resignation due to alleged connections to powerful oligarchs.
The reform also aims to restrict the rights of the president. The current head of state, Rumen Radew, is very critical of the Borissov government. He accuses her of “connections with the oligarchs” and supports the demands of the protesters.
EU country with the biggest corruption problem
In light of the protests that have been going on for months, Radew once again called for snap elections in a message to parliament on Wednesday. “Confidence has definitely been lost,” said the former general, supported by opposition Socialists. The raids by the prosecution had triggered the protests two months ago.
Borisov has been in power almost continuously for ten years. He resigned in 2013 and 2016, but returned to the top of the government a few months later. However, he has so far refused to resign before the end of his third term in March.
Bulgaria it is considered the EU country where corruption is most widespread. The country is comparatively poor. Few oligarchs control much of the economy.
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