Bulgaria Students Demand Cabinet's Ouster
Some 2,000 Bulgarian students rallied in Sofia on Friday for a traditional march that quickly morphed into a demand for the ouster of their country's beleaguered Socialist-backed government.
The demonstration, springing forth from a gathering commemorating 18th and 19th century intellectuals and revolutionaries, took place against a backdrop of protests and occupations in universities around the country.
Shouts of "Wake up," "Resign" and "Mafia" resounded in the crowd, which was giving support to several hundred students who have occupied Sofia's largest university for a week, resulting in cancelled classes. The students are calling for new elections and an end to corruption in politics.
Smaller groups have also occupied auditoriums in other universities in Sofia and across the country, backed by many university professors, writers and other intellectuals.
"This government must resign because the oligarchy pulls its strings," music education student Dimitar Karnolski said at the march.
"The mafia has penetrated the institutions to such an extent that European officials can't even imagine. I hope that the student rallies will give a new impetus to the protests that started in mid-June," university educator Boycho Penchev added.
Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski's minority government, which took over in May, has faced continued wrath from the street over ill thought-out appointments of top officials, perceived corruption and widening poverty.
The protests, which gathered up to 20,000 protesters for evenings on end over the summer, have substantially subsided but continue.
Source: Agence France Presse
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