Dear Burma... 18/02/13 10:39 CET Weekend of rage in Bulgaria as tens of thousands protest electricity prices Bulgaria’s government on Monday sacked Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, who has kept a tight fiscal policy as the European Union’s poorest member recovers from recession, a day after nationwide protests over electricity prices. Djankov’s dismissal comes as the government tries to shore up its support with an election looming in July. Djankov, 42, brought the budget deficit down to 0.5 percent of gross domestic product last year from 2 percent in 2011, gaining him respect in the EU as many nations in the bloc battled to keep their public debt under control. The country’s current EU funds minister, Tomislav Donchev, will double up as finance minister. (Reuters) — Tens of thousands of Bulgarians protested in more than 20 cities against high electricity bills on Sunday, piling pressure on the government after a week of persistent demonstrations. Protesters chanting “It will be the same every day until we win,” paralysed city centres and demanded the resignation of the cabinet and the re-nationalisation of power distributors. Electricity prices are politically sensitive in the European Union’s poorest member since power bills bite off a big chunk of monthly incomes, especially during the winter. Demonstrators threw eggs, bottles and fruit, burned their electricity bills and attacked the offices of power firms in five cities. More than 2,000 people blocked the highway to Greece near the southern town of Dupnitsa. In the capital Sofia, protesters blocked traffic on the famous Eagles’ Bridge and along several main roads. “We cannot stand it anymore,” said Penka Slavova, a pensioner. “My pension is 155 levs (82€) and my December bill was 175 (89.5€) levs. What should I do?” Local media reported that protesters, including women and children, clashed with police when trying to reach the headquarters of Czech firm CEZ which supplies power to Sofia and northwestern Bulgaria. euronews/2013/02/18/xyz-weekend-of-rage-in-bulgaria-as-tens-of-thousands-protest-electricity-prices/
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:49:46 +0000
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