Protests in Bulgaria with demands for a rule of law and fair elections
A protest action under the motto « Blocking the Constitutional Reform » is being held in front of the Sofia Trial Palace building, and citizens express support for the rule of law and fair and transparent elections. The event is organized by the civic initiative « Justice for Everyone » and was announced through social networks.
In the area around the protest there is an intensified police presence.
– It is time for institutions to know their role and work together. When there is no coordination between state authorities, there is no economic progress or improvement in living standards – said one of the participants, Georgi Kurtev, reports BTA.
According to Sonja Glushkova, also a protest participant, « it is unacceptable for the prosecution to interfere with the work of the Constitutional Court », alluding to the latest political developments in Bulgaria.
After a rally in front of the Trial Palace, the protesters continued with a peaceful march through Sofia's central streets to eventually reach the National Assembly building. Due to the protest, traffic in the downtown area was temporarily disrupted, but the event passed without incident.
Similar protests were held today in Burgas, Pleven and Plovdiv.
At the same time, the hearings on the legitimacy of the elections held on October 27 continued in the Bulgarian Parliament. After yesterday's urgent session, court experts engaged in the proceedings testified today. The investigation was initiated following the statement of Constitutional Court President Pavlina Panova, who warned that « the work of the court must not depend on the actions or inactivity of other state authorities ».
The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, meanwhile, said it was investigating missing ballots from parliamentary elections.
