Protests Sweep Bulgaria As Government Collapses Amid Chaos [View all]
http://www.policymic.com/articles/27094/protests-sweep-bulgaria-as-government-collapses-amid-chaos
The Bulgarian government was officially dissolved on Wednesday with the resignation of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov as thousands took to the street to protest against high electricity bills and declining living standards. The country, which joined the EU in 2001, remains the poorest member of the union after a long and troubled transition to capitalism.
The first casualty of the on-going crisis became Bulgarian finance minister Simeon Djankov — a well-respected former World Bank official who undertook painful economic reforms and austerity measures. Djankov stepped down on Tuesday in the middle of escalating protests in the capital of Sofia where people with signs that read "Mafia" and "Bring Down the Monopolies" were rallying against lack of transparency and monopolistic practices in the energy sector.
As the nationwide protest steadily turned against "Everything and Everyone," violent clashes with the police errupted leaving at least 25 injured in Sofia which increased the pressure on Borisov's leadership three months before the official end of his term.
Borisov, known for his hard-line can-do style, has successfully carried out ambitious infrastructure projects and EU programs. However, rising unemployment and soaring living costs have put millions of Bulgarians on the brink of poverty in a country where the average monthly salary continues to be less than 400 euros a month.
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