2020 Bulgarian protests

The 2020 Bulgarian protests are a series of ongoing demonstrations that are being held in Bulgaria, mainly in the capital Sofia, as well as some cities outside of Bulgaria such as London.[17][18] The demonstrations were triggered on 9 July 2020 when the Presidency of Bulgaria was raided by police and prosecutors as a result of a long-lasting conflict between the prime minister Boyko Borisov and the president Rumen Radev.[19]

2020 Bulgarian protests
Date	9 July 2020 - ongoing (37 days)
Location	Bulgaria Sofia - main protest site; Burgas, Plovdiv, Varna, Blagoevgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Kyustendil, Lovech, Vratsa, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Ruse, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Yambol, Karlovo, Stara Zagora, Bankya; Abroad - London, Oxford, Exeter, Manchester, Birmingham, Berlin, Cologne, Nuremberg, Munich, Frankfurt, Mannheim, The Hague, Brussels, Copenhagen, Paris, Vienna, Prague, Barcelona, Madrid, Chicago, New York, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Stockholm, Oslo and others
Caused by	Prosecutor's Office raiding the Presidency of Bulgaria Government mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic Ahmed Dogan and Delyan Peevski being guarded by the National Service for Protection[1] Political corruption and misuse of EU funds State capture Lack of media freedom and transparency Lack of adequate environmental protection
Goals	Resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the Bulgarian government Resignation of Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev Resignation of BNT Director General Emil Koshlukov Resignation of Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova Early parliamentary elections Constitutional amendment
Methods	Demonstrations Sit-ins Occupations Photobombing Picketing Road blocks and Baricades Motorcades Hunger strikes
Status	Ongoing A no-confidence motion brought in by the Socialist Party is defeated in the National Assembly (21 July) The Constitutional Court of Bulgaria unanimously rules that Chief Prosecutor Geshev is not allowed to investigate the incumbent President (30 July) Police forces storm and dismantle the road blocks and tent camps across the country (7 August) Most road blocks reestablished by demonstrators (10 August) Six NSS agents disciplined for their actions on the Rosenets beach (10 August)
Concessions given	Head of National Service for Protection resigned (10 July) Resignation of 3 government ministers offered, later withdrawn (Offered 15 July, withdrawn 16 July) Ministers for the Economy and Tourism replaced by their deputies (23 July) Interior and Finance Ministers fired (23 July) Minister of Health switches position to become Minister of Finance (23 July) Government announces 2 billion lev stimulus package (27 July) The GERB faction in Burgas city council votes a resolution to renationalize the street leading to Rosenets beach (27 July) The govermnent announces a second social package (12 August) Limited constitutional amendment proposed by the government (14 August)
Parties to the civil conflict
President of Bulgaria Anti-Government Demonstrators; Opposition parties: Bulgarian Socialist Party Democratic Bulgaria There Are Such People Vazrazhdane ABV Communist Party of Bulgaria Bulgaria for Citizens Movement[2] Bulgarian Left[3] others Other organizations: Confederation of Independent Trade Unions Autonomous Workers' Confederation[4] Bulgarian Judges Association[5] Spasi Sofia Civic Platform Izpravise.BG[6] Justice for Everyone Initiative The System Kills Us Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Government of Bulgaria Pro-government parties: GERB VMRO NFSB Volya Ataka DPS SDS Other organizations: KRIB
Lead figures
No officially designated leaders, however the following public figures encourage the protests: Rumen Radev (President of Bulgaria) Hristo Ivanov Maya Manolova Tatyana Doncheva Reneta Indzhova Vasil Bozhkov Slavi Trifonov Aleksandar Tomov[7] Tsvetan Tsvetanov[8] Arman Babikyan[9] Velislav Minekov[9] Nikolay Hadzhigenov[9] Boyko Borisov (Prime Minister of Bulgaria) Ivan Geshev (General Prosecutor of Bulgaria) Emil Koshlukov (BNT Director General) Yordanka Fandakova (Mayor of Sofia) Ahmed Dogan Delyan Peevski Public figures who have also declared their support for the government: Rosen Plevneliev[10] Georgi Gergov[11][12] Veselin Mareshki
Number
At least 120,000 concurrent protesters in Sofia[13] Tens of thousands concurrent outside of Sofia[14] 400,000 nationwide total[15][16]
Casualties
Death(s)	0
Injuries	More than 50

Background

Corruption

Main article: Corruption in Bulgaria

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his populist[20] conservative GERB party have been in power since 2009, with a one-year interruption in 2013, when his government lost power following similar protests. Borisov's cabinets have seen persistent corruption in all branches of government; a 2017 assessment of the United States Department of State described the presence of selective justice and a lack of judicial independence. The report stated that Bulgarian government officials were engaging in bribery, procurement violations and embezzlement with impunity.[21] Bulgaria has consistently ranked as the most corrupt European Union member in the Corruption Perceptions Index, and has remained last in 2019, ranking 74th globally.[22] As a result of corruption and oligarchic rule, Foreign direct investment collapsed from 28% of GDP in 2008 to a largely remittance-based 2% of GDP in 2018.[23][24]

This has been complemented by a steep decline in media freedom. Bulgaria dropped from 59th[25] to 111th globally in the Press Freedom Index between 2008 and 2019, the lowest score of any EU member or candidate state; Reporters Without Borders reported worsening harassment of journalists and continuing government control over the media through financial means, including EU funding. The organisation expressed particular concern over the Borisov government's candidate for Chief Prosecutor, Ivan Geshev, who had made scathing remarks about media which were "not to his liking".[26][27] Former US ambassador to Bulgaria, James Pardew, said in 2019 that a "political environment with little government or criminal accountability and no serious opposition to challenge the current government" is in place in Bulgaria. Pardew further named Delyan Peevski as a "media kingpin" with a virtual monopoly on private media in Bulgaria, controlling as much as 80% of the local market.[28]

Institutional war

Main article: Rumen Radev § Rivalry with Prime Minister Borisov

President Rumen Radev (left) and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov (right). The two Bulgarian leaders often publicly clash.

Following the defeat of GERB's candidate for president in the 2016 Bulgarian presidential election, Bulgarian Air Force general Rumen Radev was elected to the mostly ceremonial post of President of Bulgaria.[29] Radev, an independent, was nonetheless backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party - Bulgaria's largest opposition party. Radev frequently criticised the prime minister over what he alleged was corruption, mismanagement and authoritarianism inherent in Borisov's rule. Consequently, Radev frequently vetoed legislative proposals by GERB and vocally opposed Borisov's government.[30][31][32][33][34] In turn, Borisov accused Radev of sabotaging the government's work, dividing the nation and compromising his independence in favour of the opposition. Bulgaria's parliamentarist constitution holds the Prime Minister responsible to the National Assembly instead of the President and allows for the parliament to overrule presidential vetoes via a simple majority. As such, Borisov was able to maintain power in the country despite the president's objections and criticisms, as the latter lacked any legal mechanism to sack or seriously obstruct the government.[35][36]

This inter-institutional conflict[37] escalated significantly in late 2019, as the President attempted to block the appointment of Ivan Geshev to the post of Chief Prosecutor. Radev cited Geshev's nomination by the Supreme Judicial Council, a procedure where Geshev was the sole candidate.[38] However, the Supreme Judicial Council constitutionally forced President to accept Geshev as Chief Prosecutor,[39][40][41] which Radev reluctantly did after noting that further refusals could amount to a violation of the constitution.[42] The newly appointed Chief Prosecutor released what he described as wiretaps of the president shortly thereafter, which allegedly implicated him in criminal activities.[43][44] Radev, who was at this point criticising Borisov over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country,[45][46] strongly rejected the allegations and accused the Prime Minister of having the nation's security service illegally spy on him and fabricate evidence.[47]

Cause of protests

Alleged photographs and voice recordings of the Prime Minister

Shortly before the start of the protests, photographs emerged that purported to show what appeared to be Prime Minister Borisov laying half-naked on a bed, next to a nightstand featuring a handgun and stacks of euro banknotes. Borisov confirmed that the room in which the photos were taken was his, but denied the gun and money, stating that the images could have been manipulated. Borisov accused President Radev of flying a consumer drone into his residence in order to take the picture. He also accused former Ombudswoman Maya Manolova, TV star Slavi Trifonov and his own former second in command Tsvetan Tsvetanov (who had just left and condemned the ruling party) of involvement in a plot to take photos of him while he was sleeping, in a "KGB-Style" kompromat operation. Radev condemned the leaks and called it an "insane" invasion of the prime minister's privacy. He added that he owns a drone, but that the accusation that he personally piloted it into the prime minister's residence to take pictures was part of Borisov's "fantasy and paranoia".[48][49][50][51]

Around that time controversial voice recordings were leaked on the Internet. The voice in the recordings insults a member of the National Assembly Tsveta Karayancheva and European leaders and strongly resembles the voice of the Prime Minister Borisov.[52][53][54] On 24 July, socialist MEP Elena Yoncheva stated that American experts had allegedly proven the authenticity of the recording. EU Parliament head David Sassoli stated that Yoncheva had pledged to provide the findings to Belgian police.[55]

Scandal with National Security Service guards

One of the events that provoked a strong public reaction was an action of activists of Yes, Bulgaria!, broadcast live on social media. The activists, led by Hristo Ivanov, reached a coastal beach in front of the residence of Bulgarian oligarch Ahmed Dogan, located near the port of Rosenets in Burgas by boat. Their purpose was to check whether the regime of exclusive state ownership of the surrounding beach is actually observed and whether as such it is accessible to Bulgarian citizens. There they were intercepted by security guards, which pushed them out, insisted that the beach was privately owned and called the police, which assisted them.[56][57] The activists subsequently called on the president and the prime minister to identify whether the anonymous security guards were National Security Service (NSS) employees. The NSS is a government-funded bodyguard and security service that is only mandated to protect state leaders, which Ahmed Dogan is not.[58] Party representatives also called on the prosecutor's office to launch an investigation against Ahmed Dogan for violating the constitution and state property law.[56]

In an address to the nation the following day, President Radev revealed that the guards were, in fact, employees of the National Security Service.[58] Borisov called on the leadership of the NSS to cease protection duties of Ahmed Dogan and Delyan Peevski, who is also under protection by the Service. Radev followed with a similar call several hours later.[59] In this situation, GERB and the United Patriots introduced amendments to the Law on NGOs, according to which the appointment of security guards by the service would become the responsibility of the head of the service.[60]

"Eight Dwarfs" extortion scandal

In early July, the name of the General Prosecutor became mixed up in the corruption scandal "Eight Dwarfs", which erupted at the same time. The "Eight Dwarfs" scandal was named after a downtown Sofia restaurant in which alleged extortion deals took place. The scandal related to senior magistrates, with which the American ambassador to the country was personally acquainted. Prosecution magistrates were accused by an owner of an elevator company of extorting him to give up his shares in the company to them, threatening him that they would leave his sick son without lifesaving hemodialysis should he refuse. The magistrates were also alleged to have met there to discuss plans to steal 35 kilograms of gold from another businessman.[61]

Incursion of the public prosecutors into the presidency

Shortly thereafter, representatives of the prosecution and Capitol Police investigators entered the presidency, carrying out search and seizure operations.[62][63][64] They arrested two officials from the presidential administration. The first arrestee was Plamen Uzunov, advisor on legal issues and anti-corruption, accused of Influence peddling. The second - Iliya Milushev, a presidential adviser on security issues, accused of crimes involving disclosure of state secrets and conspiracy to illegally obtain secret documents. Another employee of the state reconnaissance agency with the initials M.K. was also arrested. According to the prosecution's statement Milushev voluntarily handed over four documents, which had been taken illegally from the State Intelligence Agency. According to the Agency, the documents contained information constituting a state secret.[62][63][64][65][66][67][68] At the same time a prominent businessman Plamen Bobokov was also arrested for alleged Influence peddling.[69][70]

General Prosecutor Ivan Geshev told the media his indifference to the incident on the beach, where it was revelead that the national flag had been trampled.[71]

Eventually, the culmination of all these scandals provoked a spontaneous protest in front of the presidency.[72]

Timeline

July

9 July - Protests begin

The protests began on 9 July 2020. They set as their goal the removal of Borisov's cabinet and the resignation of Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev.[73] They are encouraged by President Rumen Radev, who has called for the expulsion of the mafia from the executive and the judiciary, as well as EU member states to express a position on the situation in the country, which is growing into a constitutional crisis.[74] However, the prime minister and the chief prosecutor refused to resign. The prosecutors' board and members of the government oppose the resignation of the chief prosecutor and the prime minister.[75]

10 July - The President's address; Borisov calls for counter-protests

Thousands of protesters blocked the center of the capital for the second night in a row.[76][77][78] At 5:27 pm the Head of the National Security Service, Gen. Krassimir Stanchev resigned.[79] This came hours after he was asked to do so by President Rumen Radev after a series of scandals in which the service was involved in guarding the summer residence of honorary DPS leader Ahmed Dogan.[80] Earlier, Stanchev's resignation had been demanded by Democratic Bulgaria.

About an hour and a half after the protests began President Rumen Radev told protesters in front of the presidency that "the protest against the mafia is turning into a campaign and there is no force to stop us."[81] Radev called on the protesters not to be divided into left and right, Russophiles and Russophobes, Americanophiles and Americanophobes, Europhiles and Europhobes, Bulgarians and Turks, and not to repeat the mistakes of the 2013 protests.[82] He ended his speech with the call "Mafia - out".[83]

With calls to defend "Bulgaria's legitimately elected government", GERB party members urged party supporters to take part in a counter-protest in front of the Council of Ministers.[84] At 7 pm, the counter-protest in front of the Council of Ministers of GERB members in support of the government began. The Chairperson of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Tsveta Karayancheva, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva and GERB MPs Toma Bikov and Alexander Nenkov came to the square in front of the Council of Ministers building.[85] "No one has the right to insult us, the voters of GERB, by calling us mafiots." said Chairperson of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Tsveta Karayancheva.[86] At 8 pm, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov also appeared before the counter-protesters. He commented on the government's success in joining ERM II starting Bulgaria's path to the Eurozone.[87] Borisov was greeted with applause. A few minutes later, he returned to the building, along with all the government ministers.[88] After Prime Minister Borissov's speech, GERB supporters began to disperse, while there was a significant crowd of police around the protesters on the side of the presidency. Protesters against the government blocked traffic on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. between Orlov Most and Sofia University. Another group separated and tried to wait and block the buses with GERB supporters. The police then took measures to separate the two groups.[89][90]

11 July

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev addressed the nation in a television speech broadcast across the country, in which he endorsed the protests and called for the resignations of both Chief Prosecutor Geshev and the entire Bulgarian government.[91][30] Bulgarian police arrested 18 people amid clashes in an otherwise peaceful protest.[92]

12 July

Bulgarian emigrants living in London joined the protests and gathered peacefully outside the Bulgarian embassy in the United Kingdom, expressing their grievances to Bulgaria's ambassador to the country.[93]

14 July - Prosecution announces wiretaps of opposition MP

Thousands of protesters blocked traffic in downtown Sofia as a small group of pro-government counter-demonstrators, whom the protesters accused of being bussed in by the government, were placed just 50 meters across from the main demonstrators by police. Several groups of anti-government activists reportedly organized raids against the pro-government buses.[94]

The National Representation of Student Councils in Bulgaria accused pro-government police forces of illegally beating protesting students and demanded the resignations of police officers found responsible.[95]

Chief Prosecutor Geshev released a series of wiretaps that he stated were collected by the State Agency for National Security. He alleged that the tapes proved that Aleksandar Paunov, Communist Party of Bulgaria leader and opposition MP, held a conversation with Vasil Bozhkov, a Bulgarian exile wanted by the prosecution. He further accused President Radev of "supporting fugitives from justice".[96] Paunov confirmed that he had a conversation with Bozhkov, but denied any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, he left the socialist parliamentary group to avoid associating it with Bozhkov and discrediting the protests, continuing his mandate as an independent politician.[97] The Union of Democratic Forces called on the prosecution to ban the communist party entirely, stating that it had supported the protests and "contributed to the destabilization of the country". They also expressed a desire to see all communist parties in the country banned.[98]

15 July

A very large protest took place in the centre of Sofia, with turnout so big, that the demonstration stretched across several of the city's largest boulevards. The protests were peaceful throughout the day, but tensions escalated after 22:30 as young men attempted to break into the parliament's office building and threw fireworks, bottles, stones and red paint at the police, resulting in six arrests.[99]

The opposition socialist party introduced a motion of no confidence against Borisov's government in parliament, accusing it of collaborating with the Bulgarian mafia.[100] Meanwhile, President Radev called for further peaceful protests, but cautioned participants to avoid provocations that could be used to 'sow discord' among the protesters.[101]

Borisov issued his first concession to the protesters by asking his ministers for finance, the economy and the interior to resign after police violence was documented during the protests. Nevertheless, the ruling party excluded the possibility of early elections.[102] The majority of protesters rejected these concessions and vowed to keep protesting until the entire government resigns.[103]

16 July - Refusal of Resignation

Both Chief Prosecutor Geshev and Prime Minister Borisov made statements refusing to hand in their resignations and vowing to remain in power until the final day of their term.[104][105] That same day, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria, Bulgaria's largest labour union, officially endorsed the protests.[106]

President Radev once again addressed the nation, rejecting the government's concessions and stating that no cabinet reshuffle could save the current government.[107]

The protest on 16 July was stated to be the largest thus far, as the demonstrations spread to Bulgaria's smaller towns. The protest movement also saw demonstrations outside of the country, as student organizations and immigrant communities organized solidarity protests in London, Manchester, Berlin, Cologne, The Hague, Brussels, Copenhagen and other cities.[108][109]

Prime Minister Borisov once again rejected calls for early elections, stating that his resignation would "break the country". Political analysts writing for New Europe stated that the government could expect to survive the no-confidence motion tabled for the following week, as the coalition government MPs had enough votes to reject the motion and keep the government in power at least until the next scheduled election in 2021.[110] He also announced that he was withdrawing his previous concession of demanding the resignations of three of his ministers - stating that neither he, nor his ministers would resign.[111]

The protests continued late into the night. After several smoke bombs were thrown into the square, the protestors formed a human chain to prevent provocateurs from committing violent acts. The policemen guarding the demonstrators removed their riot shields in gratitude to the protesters.[112]

17 July

Protesters gathered for the ninth day in a row to protest against the government. In addition to the usual protest sites, rallies were also held in Lovech, Kyustendil, Vratsa and Haskovo. Besides the protest at the city centre, protesters also gathered in front of the building of the Bulgarian National Television and demanded the resignation of its Director General, Emil Koshlukov.[113][114][115]

National Assembly Chairwoman and leading GERB figure Tsveta Karayancheva made a statement in which she stated that holding early elections would be pointless, as she opined GERB would simply win again and form another government. She added that her party could not trust Radev in the formation of a caretaker government, as the previous such government in Bulgaria's recent history "sent shivers down her spine". She also accused President Radev of intentionally dividing Bulgarian society.[116]

18 July

At the end of the tenth day rally, protest leaders called on Bulgarians to begin civil disobedience and "besiege" all buildings belonging to the government (specifically mentioning the National Assembly), as well as those buildings belonging to state or municipal institutions, at 7 am on Monday, 20 July. This coincided with the parliamentary session in which the assembly was due to vote on the motion of no confidence brought by the socialists, which was expected to fail as pro-government MPs retained a majority in the chamber.[117][118]

19 July

The daily protests were joined by the first foreign rally in Nuremberg, organized by a 25 year old lawyer and Bulgarian expatriate in Germany. The Bulgarian National Radio noted that anti-Borisov protests had also began occurring in Berlin, Paris and Barcelona, having been organized by communities of Bulgarian emigrants.[119]

20 July - Blocking of the metro system; Attempted dissolution of "Revival"

Protesters blocked the National Assembly building and also briefly blocked the city's metro system as the parliamentary debate around the opposition's no-confidence motion began in the assembly.[120]

Sofia's Prosecution authority stated that it was seeking to ban and dissolve Vazrazhdane, an extra-parliamentary party that had strongly supported the protests. The prosecution alleged that it had found "invalid data" among the party's documents, concluding that the party had been formed illegally. The party's leader stated that he was not surprised and believed that the DANS had been working on a "political order" to incriminate Vazrazhdane on false evidence for months by that point.[121]

The three ministers whose resignation Borisov had offered to the protesters earlier in the week all confirmed that they would not be resigning and would continue serving in their current positions. IMRO leader and Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov stated that he expected no major upcoming changes in the government's composition. Police forces began to look for ways to limit protesters' access to the city centre, as some protesters brought up the idea of not only surrounding the national assembly, but also occupying it. Though Bulgaria's Interior Ministry has refused to publish data on the amount of protesters, Balkan Insight stated that estimates suggested that at least 50,000 people were protesting concurrently each night by that point.[122] Separately, police forces detained a former parliamentarian, accusing him of aiding the protesters in briefly blocking the metro system earlier that day alongside two accomplices.[123]

Socialist leader Korneliya Ninova accused the government of attempting to ban a traditional annual meeting at Buzludzha that marks the anniversary of the party's founding in 1891. She further accused mayors and functionaries belonging to the ruling party of allegedly threatening transport companies by telling them that they would never again receive government contracts if they agree to transport any socialists or their supporters to the meeting. Ninova stated that due to what she described as "the dictatorship's" attempt to ban the Buzludzha rally, the socialist party would instead hold its rally on the "yellow pavement" in Sofia's city centre.[124] Shortly thereafter, the government's health minister denied that he wanted to ban the meeting and announced that the socialists would be allowed to hold their rally in Buzludzha.[125]

21 July - Failure of no confidence motion

The Socialists' motion of no confidence in the nation's parliament ended in defeat as it gained the support of 102 MPs, while 121 MPs of the ruling coalition voted against. Protesters reacted negatively, chanting "Resign" and "Jail", whilst vowing to continue their demonstrations until both Borisov and the Chief Prosecutor resign.[126]

A group of protesters attempted to besiege PM Borisov in Sofia Airport as he arrived from meetings with the European Union with the intention of not allowing him to leave until he agreed to resign. Their attempt failed, as the Prime Minister had already left the airport by the time they arrived.[127][128]

Revival leader Kostadin Kostadinov complained of what he dubbed "brutal political repression", stating that members of his party were summoned to police interrogations after the prosecution announced its intention to have the party dissolved the previous day.[129]

22 July - "Yes, Bulgaria!" appeals to the Government

Hristo Ivanov, the leader of Yes, Bulgaria! (part of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition) announced that he had petitioned not only the supreme judicial council, but also PM Borisov to order his justice minister to fire Chief Prosecutor Geshev - making him the first leader of an opposition party to negotiate with the government. He stated that he was "engaging" Borisov in front of the whole nation to order the justice minister to dismiss Geshev as a first step toward constitutional changes that he would like to propose in Bulgaria.[130][131][132]

Two weeks after the protests began, protesters again rallied in Sofia's city centre, blocking seven major boulevards, as well as several bus and tram lines for several hours. Demonstrators threw flat caps at the Palace of Justice (referencing the Chief Prosecutor, who is known for wearing such caps) and toilet paper at the Council of Ministers building. The protesters chanted their refusal to accept minor concessions and insisted on the resignation of the entire government as well as the chief prosecutor. Protests also took place in cities and towns across Bulgaria, with smaller anti-government rallies being held for the first time in Sliven, Pazardzhik, Ruse and Yambol.[133][134]

A major Bulgarian news outlet revealed that Chief Prosecutor Geshev had went into paid vacation since 20 July. The prosecution's press office stated that he had taken a vacation in order to "work on the stategic priorities of the prosecution", adding that Geshev "worked best when he was resting".[135]

The prosecution authority announced that it had brought charges against another former parliamentarian and current advisor in the field of energy policy to President Radev. It accused him of complicity in the brief blocking of Sofia's metro system three days prior. The other former parliamentarian arrested a couple of days prior was also charged with the same indictment.[136]

23 July - Government reshuffle

Having faced increasing pressure from street protests, the ruling coalition (GERB, IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement and the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria) decided to replace four government ministers. The ministers for tourism and the economy were replaced by their deputies, the minister of the interior was replaced by a high-ranking police officer, while the minister of healthcare switched positions to become minister of finance, his former post to be taken up by the head of a Sofia hospital.[137][138]

The opposition parties rejected the replacements as an "imitation of change" and a "joke", continuing their calls for the resignation of the entire government and early elections.[138]

The protesters were not satisfied with the cabinet reshuffle and anti-government protests spread across Bulgaria's major cities.[139]

President Radev addressed the demonstrators, accusing the government of being "deaf" to protesters' demands and once again insisting on the resignations of the entire government and the chief prosecutor. He called for further protests, opining that the protest movement would be the 'beginning of the end' of the "corrupt model [of governance]" and expressed his support for early parliamentary elections and changes to Bulgaria's constitution.[140]

24 July - BNT interview incident

Bulgaria's Chief prosecution authority demanded that Hristo Ivanov apologise for "misleading the prime minister" in his 22 July appeal to Borisov, in which he asked for the Chief Prosecutor's dismissal. It alleges that he made false statements in his report, thus defaming the chief prosecutor.[141]

A large truck that was supposed to provide technical and audio equipment for the daily protest in Sofia was stopped by Bulgarian police outside the city. One of the protest's organizers stated that the truck was stopped and had its registration plates removed by police officers that offered no explanation for their actions, thus rendering the vehicle unroadworthy and unable to enter the city. The traffic police department stated that officers had stopped the 12-tonne truck during a "routine check" and discovered four different road law violations, issuing three fines. It stated that the truck was hence banned from Bulgaria's roads for the time being. Nevertheless, after the police left, the truck was driven into the city without any license plates. It arrived at the protest site at around 20:00.[142]

The protesters took to blocking the capital's roads, blocking ten of the city's largest crossroads and demanding the resignations of the government, chief prosecutor, BNT's director general and the Mayor of Sofia. The resulting traffic jam led to a road rage incident in which an angry car driver rammed his car through the protesters in an attempt to pierce the road block. This resulted in a 19-year-old female demonstrator receiving minor injuries, though nobody was seriously hurt.[143] In response, some protesting groups threatened to blockade the country's highways.[144][145]

A video recording emerged of a group of demonstrators co-organized by Yes, Bulgaria! and the "FIGHTER" association spilling trash bins onto the street and throwing beer bottles in an attempt to occupy the Bulgarian National Television building, where a debate was held between GERB's Parliamentary chief Daniela Daritkova and socialist leader Korneliya Ninova. The group had apparently refused to take part in the general protests and besieged the TV headquarters, leading to police intervention.[146][147] Ninova later stated that the protesters had allowed her to leave by foot, whereas Daritkova was held longer until freed by police.[148] Police authorities stated that both Daritkova and Ninova had refused police protection, while the crowd began to throw bottles and cans when it saw figures emerging from the building, necessitating a police response. They stated that Ninova left by foot, while Daritkova was blocked by protesters in her car, leading the police to break up the protest in order to allow her to leave.[147] It was later revealed that the refusal of the two representatives to accept police protection violated police protocols, causing Ninova to issue a public apology to the police officers involved.[149]

The town of Karlovo saw its first protest as anti-government demonstrations became more commonplace outside of Sofia.[143]

25 July - Socialist Rally

By noon, protesters had blocked the Ruse-Varna and Ruse-Kubrat intercity roads, accusing the government of abandoning the roadside infrastructure and expressing a lack of faith in the country's institutions. In an attempt to avoid road rage incidents, demonstrators took to giving apology fliers to every car stuck in traffic near the protest site.[150]

The Socialist Party defied the government by holding their annual anniversary demonstration in the centre of Sofia instead of on mount Buzludzha. Around 10,000 socialists arrived from across the country to the capital, where they paraded through the city and demanded the government's resignation. At the rally socialist leader Korneliya Ninova alleged that the government had attempted to bribe key socialist politicians in order to "break the left" during the protests, but stated that the plot had failed as the socialists had refused to "sell themselves".[148][151]

The daily evening protest in Sofia was mostly cut short by a major thunderstorm, though some demonstrators stayed and threw tomatoes at government buildings. Protest organizers cautioned demonstrators to avoid hitting policemen with the tomatoes and instead only target the buildings.[152] Separately, residents of the Manastirski Livadi neighbourhood marched to the residence of the Mayor of Sofia and GERB member Yordanka Fandakova and demanded her resignation after she allegedly privatized a plot of land that was supposed to be earmarked for a municipal kindergarten.[153][154]

Demonstrators in Varna took to briefly blocking the city's major intersections, while in Ruse protesters covered the ruling party's local headquarters in protest slogans. 50 members of a "citizens' committee" also declared that they would be launching a hunger strike in protest against the government.[152]

26 July

Bulgarian expartiates in the Australian city of Melbourne organized a rally in support of the protest movement and demanded the government's resignation. Smaller rallies were also organized in various cities in the United States, while the London protests had become a daily occurrence for two weeks in a row.[155]

27 July - Government announces new concessions

Protesters announced that they would be holding a nationwide general strike on 29 July. The nation's trade unions announced support for the movement, but stated that they would not be officially joining the strike, as only 20% of the unions' leaders had announced a readiness to go on strike.[156] Demonstrators also organized a mock "wish-writing contest" in front of the Bulgarian National Bank, as the date marked Bulgarian oligarch Delyan Peevski's birthday.[157][158]

After a meeting with the ruling coalition, PM Borisov publicly announced a 2 billion lev stimulus package, slated to be transferred to retirees, the unemployed, paramedics and business leaders in an attempt to placate the protesters.[156]

By evening, the government announced another concession - the GERB majority in Burgas' city council agreed to vote in favour of an opposition-sponsored resolution and void the April city council decision to privatize the public road that leads to the coastline and DPS Chairman Ahmed Dogan's mansion at Rosenets and sell it to a company linked to Dogan. The lack of public access to the coastline was one of the reasons that contributed to the start of the protests.[159]

Despite both the government concessions and a rainstorm that had erupted over the capital, protests nevertheless continued. Most protesters rejected the government's "social package", calling it a "mockery" and asserting that the government's plan to give a one-time 50-lev (around US$30) pension boost to retired citizens would "neither help a retiree, nor give him a future". In response, several groups of protesters announced that they would be forming an "initiative committee" that would coordinate the various groups protesting against the government in a bid to further unify the protest movement. Meanwhile, anti-Borisov demonstrators in Germany took to a campaign of writing letters en masse to all the deputies of the German Bundestag. They hoped that they would be able to cut off support for Borisov by Germany by pressuring the ruling CDU/CSU, fellow EPP member and close ally to Borisov's party, to distance itself from him. In addition, the protesters took the decision to begin protesting in front of the CDU/CSU headquarters daily until their goal is reached.[160]

Protesters in Sofia marched to the European Commission representation office in the country, demanding that the EU administration take note of the protests. Anti-government protests also erupted in many smaller towns across the country. During that day's protests, the result of an investigation into police brutality on July 10 were made public - revealing that at the investigation found that police had used "excessive force" and "violated the fundamental rights of the citizens" during the incident. In response undefined "disciplinary measures" were announced by the Ministry of the Interior.[161]

28 July

Representatives of the tourism industry and tour operator companies joined the protests in front of the Council of Ministers, demanding that the adoption a crisis plan to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic that had decimated tourism in the country.[162]

29 July - New Audio Recording leak; Socialist Party leaves parliament

A scandalous audio recording once again leaked on the Internet. In the recording, which was likely made in the autumn of 2018, a voice, strongly resembling that of PM Borisov and a second, resembling that of Tomislav Donchev, discuss previous protests and President Radev using very crude language. The voice resembling Borisov's states that "knowledge can only be given to a smart person, a dumb person can only take a dick", adding that dumb people are to be dealt with by "poisoning, fucking their mothers" and "giving them a dick". It then goes on to say that these "dumb people" are the ones in charge of the protest. It then mocks President Radev, calling him a "simple pilot" that is "one of many" and asserting that "the pilots of the civil aviation are a hundred times better pilots", concluding that the President should "fuck his own mother's pussy".[163][164][165][166]

Meanwhile, protesters gathered earlier than usual across Sofia and blocked several key intersections in the city. An angry driver drove trough a group of demonstrators that had set up a road block, which led to his car being surrounded and climbed on by protesters before a police intervention.[167]

The Socialist Party's parliamentary faction yelled "Resign!" at government MPs and then demonstratively left the nation's parliament mid-session, after their demand to have the prime minister arrive at the assembly to answer questions was denied. The GERB-appointed Parliamentary Chairman ordered disciplinary punishments against the socialist MPs and motioned to have the session be continued without them.[168][169]

Protests grow; border checkpoints blocked

The protests deepened, as protesters across the country poured in amid calls for nationwide protests. A large crowd gathered in central Sofia to protest against the government, drawing between 100,000 and 120,000 demonstrators, thus marking the largest anti-government gathering in Sofia so far. Democratic Bulgaria and Revival party members took out the flags of their political parties, which some protesters condemned and attempted to take down, resulting in a verbal altercation that ultimately led to a minor police intervention. In another incident, protesters threw bottles at Volya leader Veselin Mareshki at around 18:00 local time, after he stated before state television that the protests had been "corrupted by crazies". An hour later, the protests were joined by former Ombudswoman Maya Manolova. By 22:00, the citywide roadblocks increased in number to a total of 20, which in turn led to a number of altrecations with angry drivers that were caught in traffic. Some of the protesters took the decision to set up tents as part of a more permanent sit-in, vowing not to leave the city's central square until the government resigns.[170][171][172][173][13]

Protesters from Kazanlak and Stara Zagora organized a car-based protest with a few hundred vehicles, with which they blocked the highway between the two cities. Road blocks were also put up in the city Plovdiv, while near Ruse anti-government demonstrators blocked the border checkpoint at the Danube Bridge that marks the border between Bulgaria and neighbouring Romania.[174][171]

30 July - Supreme Court Ruling

Protesters set up tents and makeshift camps on key intersections, thus creating permanent roadblocks that blocked several of Sofia's major boulevards and forced over a dozen lines of the city's public transport system to be rerouted. To this end, groups of demonstrators heeded calls from protest organizers to "sleep under the windows of power". Police forces were mobilized and shortly thereafter and the Chief of Police announced that five intersections had been cleared of protests following "negotiatons".[175]

The Constitutional Court of Bulgaria unanimously ruled that Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev was not permitted under the nation's constitution to investigate, wiretap or indict the country's president due to the legal immunity the constitution provides him.[176][177]

At evening, President Radev addressed the media. He commented on the audio leaks released the previous day and opined that they showed "a clear sign of who is behind the discreditation campaign waged against the presidential institution", adding that "in his panicked attempts to save himself, the prime minister is taking his party and all of his fellow partymen down with him". Radev concluded by once more asking for the resignations of both the government and chief prosecutor, declaring that "there was no other exit" out of the situation. He then stated that he was ready with a caretaker government to replace Borisov's cabinet, as he deemed the process [of the overthrow of the government] to have become irreversible.[178][179]

PM Borisov expressed his disagreement via a video he uploaded to Facebook, in which he claimed that the "enemies of natural gas diversification" were the ones protesting.[180]

The roadblocks became permanent as tent camps emerged on various boulevards to man the roadblocks overnight, merging with other protesters by day to march around the city and throw tomatoes and eggs at the Council of Ministers building.[181]

31 July - Parliamentary session ends; National Assembly moves

On the 23rd consecutive day of protests, the National Assembly officially ended its parliamentary session and went into recess until September. The government declared that there would be no extraordinary sessions called during summer, despite a veto enacted by President Radev against a law that had recently been passed that would nominally require the parliament to reconsider the law no more than 15 days after the veto. The government coalition stated that it would not count the days during recess for the purpose of the 15-day reconsideration requirement.[182][183]

Unexpectedly, the government also issued an announcement delivered by the Minister for the Environment alongside Valeri Simeonov, the leader of NFSB - one of Borisov's coalition partners. The government announced that following the recess, the national assembly would move to a new building - a brand new extension it had built to the former headquarters of the now-defunct Bulgarian Communist Party. The new wing of the building was equipped with special sound insulation to prevent assemblymen from hearing noises from the protest, separated the press area from the assembly floor to prevent journalists from having direct access to the parliamentarians and provided auxiliary exits from the building to MPs.[184][183]

The Deputy Chief of Police announced that the roadblocks in Sofia were illegal and would be removed by police. He stated that police forces hoped to convince the protesters to take them down trough closed-door negotiations, adding that the police would "raise its tone", as he opined that the current situation represented a "gross violation of public order".[185][186]

One of the protest organizers alleged that he was "seriously offered money (a lot of money)" to "pack up his stall and leave", which he stated he rejected outright.[187]

As protests continued, demonstrators from Stara Zagora attempted to leave the city and block the Trakia motorway, but had their vehicles blocked by police cars, while a group of Gendarmes arrived ready to disperse the demonstrators. The latter decided to leave their cars behind and walk to the motorway on foot, but were stopped by the Gendarmes present. Protesters appealed to the policemen, but the gendarmes stood their ground and did not permit them to pass.[188]

August

1 August

The System Kills Us organization, an association of parents and legal guardians caring for children with disabilities joined the protest movement and demanded the government's resignation. The organization organized a march on PM Borisov's home in Bankya and later attempted to drive a van into Sofia's central square. The van was blocked from reaching its destination by police forces near Sofia University's rectorate building.[189][190] System Kills Us' spokesperson stated that they would keep their protest routes a secret, as they feared retaliation from the ruling party's youth wing, alleging that the youth wing had threatened to lay nails and broken glass on the road in order to pop the tyres of their vehicles, so that they wouldn't "disturb the prime minister".[191] The government's Social Affairs Minister reacted by dubbing their protest a "political provocation".[192]

2 August

Protesters in Sofia set up a "citizens' parliament" and collected signatures in a formal petition for the government's resignation. Meanwhile, demonstrators near Kresna briefly blocked the international route E79 motorway, but quickly faced a government response as dozens of policemen and gendarmes arrived at the roadblock and forced it to be dismantled.[193]

Under the slogan "You are not alone" Bulgarians living abroad gathered in 22 cities across Europe, the US and Canada to support the protests and demand Borisov's resignation. Anti-government protests were for the first time reported to have occurred in Oxford, Exeter, Mannheim, Oslo and Stockholm.[194]

3 August

A road block tent camp was established on the Stara Zagora-Haskovo road by anti-government demonstrators, which insisted that the police stop preventing them from blocking the Trakia motorway. Stara Zagora mayor Zhivko Todorov, himself a GERB member, arrived at the road block and attempted to convince the protesters to abandon their attempts. The protesters refused and instead began demanding for his resignation as well.[195]

A road block was also established by demonstrators in front of Varna's municipal hall, while in Sofia the number of permanent tent camps had grown to three. One of the participants in the concurrent hunger strike announced that he had also been refusing water for several days, triggering concerns that he could die due to dehydration.[195]

5 August - Ruling party conference

Amid the continuing daily protests, PM Borisov held a national conference of the ruling GERB party. The conference was open to MPs, ministers, district governors, mayors and municipal councillors belonging to the ruling party, as well as representatives of its coalition partners - the IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement, the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria and the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS). Surprisingly, Borisov announced that he was ready to resign "at any time", but that in such an event he desired the ruling coalition to continue governing without him, thus avoiding the prospect of having to call elections.[196][197]

Anti-government protesters arrived on the scene of the conference and attempted to block the ruling coalition's representatives from leaving the premises. Tensions rose as protesters refused to leave and demanded the resignations of the entire coalition. Police forces then massed around the protesters and pushed them out of the way, thus clearing a path for the coalition's representatives to leave. In another incident, a group of conference participants, some wearing badges showing affiliation to the ruling party, assaulted a Radio Free Europe journalist and broke her phone. The journalist stated that she had previously seen them assaulting a group of anti-government demonstrators and wanted to ask them questions, upon which she was insulted by the group, then assaulted herself.[198] Media footage emerged of an elderly GERB leader than approaching the scene of the incident and defending the group, calling the journalist "trash" and telling her that "her presense was not welcome".[199]

GERB distanced themselves from that day's events, stating that the "members and sympathizers of GERB were peaceful troughout the entire time" and that "paid provocateurs had pierced the security cordon and assaulted GERB members, citizens and journalists".[198]

The 58 year old hunger striker that had refused water was hospitalized after his health condition seriously worsened. Other anti-government protesters had managed to convince him to at least begin drinking water and call emergency medical services. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where doctors stated that he was in critical condition.[200]

6 August - Ruling coalition refuses calls to resign

The government held a closed-door council with its coalition partners to decide on whether or not to resign. The result were two public statements - the first delivered in an interview before Bulgarian television by prominent GERB politician Tomislav Donchev, in which he stated that the government could potentially resign in September, following the passage of "important laws" in the nation's parliament.[201] The second, contradicting statement was delivered later that day by Valeri Simeonov, leader of the NFSB party and coalition partner of Borisov. Simeonov stated that neither the government, nor Borisov would be resigning at any point, claiming that "there were no alternatives" and adding that the governing coalition would "not bow down to pressure from the street and evade [their] responsibility [to govern]".[202]

Following Simeonov's statement, protesting crowds marched to the joint headquarters of the NFSB and SDS in Sofia, pelting it with eggs and tomatoes, which in turn led to a fistfight between a protester and young man present at the headquarters.[203]

The opposition Socialist Party formally filed a motion for a new, extraordinary session of the National Assembly to be opened, demanding that the PM Borisov and his Interior Minister answer questions relating to the previous day's violent incidents during the ruling party's conference, as well as a review of the recently revised national budget. The country's constitution provides for their motion to be accepted so long as at it is backed by least a fifth of the national assembly's elected representatives.[204][205]

7 August - Police dismantles road blocks

In a press briefing in Sofia, the national police forces declared that they would no longer tolerate the presence of roadblocks and tent camps in the country. For this reason, at around 4:00 local time police and gendarmes undertook a major operation to storm all such protest installations in Sofia. Security forces massed on all road blocks and tent camps and demanded that participants leave, following which they attempted to take physical control of the sites. According to the national police, physical force was only used against one anti-government demonstrator, while another 12 were arrested for resisting the police operation. The van belonging to The System Kills Us, which had also refused to move, was seized by the police and impounded, while its owner was fined. By mid day, security forces had managed to successfully overwhelm demonstrators and dismantle all road blocks and tent camps in the city, restoring the normal flow of traffic.[206][207][208]

Similar police operations took place in Varna and Stara Zagora, where similar road blocks were dismantled by government forces. Two protesters in Varna were also arrested for attempting to resist the police.[206][207][208] Analogous raids then took place in Plovdiv, where 60 demonstrators were fined by police for "violating public order".[209]

NFSB leader Valery Simeonov stated before national television that that barricades had been dismantled in order to "avoid a small civil war in the country", while protest leaders vowed to respond by erecting more and larger road blocks all across the country.[207]

The Confederation of Employers and Industrialists of Bulgaria (KRIB), a national chamber of commerce, expressed their enthusiasm for the police operation by writing a personal letter to PM Borisov, thanking him for his "fast reaction". KRIB claimed responsibility for triggering the police operation, stating that they had sent letters to the government three days prior in which they demanded for the police forces to dismantle demonstrators' barricades. KRIB also insisted that the government issue an order to restrict demonstrations to predefined 'suitable' locations only.[210]

By evening, demonstrators gathered around and began rebuilding the tent camps and barricades. Some protesters set up tents on Eagles' Bridge in the capital, while others built barricades on the streets out of park benches, trash containers and other objects. One of the demonstrators was arrested by the police, which accused him of carrying a bat. This led to a group of demonstrators to form a human chain around the police van into which he was placed in an attempt to block the van from escorting him out, though this failed as police forces managed to push their way trough.[211][212] In the city of Plovdiv, demonstrators were blocked from marching and setting up new barricades trough a thickened police cordon that blocked the crowd.[212]

8 August - Entrenchment of the barricades; Protesters issue demands to Dogan

In the early night hours of the day, demonstrators at the Eagles' Bridge barricades entrenched themselves and stood off against Gendarmes that had been sent to confront them. The protesters manned their makeshift defences as they were approached by gendarme vans. Having noted the protesters' intention to resist, the gendarmes withdrew without attempting to dismantle the barricades. Shortly thereafter, more barricades were built around the capital on various boulevards, as well as in front of Sofia University.[213]

After dawn, anti-government demonstrators took to going to the Rosenets beach near Honorary DPS leader Ahmed Dogan's residence in what they dubbed a "Dogan Saray Beach Festival". The beach was the location where the confrontation with the NSS guards in early July had turned into one of the causes for the eruption of the protest movement. The participants in the rally were allowed to enter the beach unobstructed, whereupon they built a tall flagpole where they raised the national flag. Surprisingly, Dogan himself appeared out of his residence and approached the demonstrators, asking to speak with them. The protesters then calmly issued him their demands - most notably a full withdrawal of Dogan's support for both Borisov and Geshev. Dogan responded by nodding and saying "yes" to each demand, following which he wished the protesters good luck, waved at the crowd and returned to his residence.[214][215]

President Radev then issued a statement in which he opined that the political crisis in the country could only be solved by Borisov and Geshev's resignations, as he stated that "repressions against the opposition cannot possibly restore faith in the government".[216]

9 August

By evening PM Borisov made an announcement before the media that he had ordered police forces not to dismantle the barricades by force. Shortly beforehand, a group of demonstrators had organized a vehicle convoy, which blocked the Kalotina border checkpoint between Bulgaria and Serbia, causing kilometeres-long traffic jams. The group was pulled over by police forces four times, with law enforcement claiming that the group was creating "conditions for car crashes", while the demonstrators claimed that they had not and instead had been illegally harassed by the police. The group lifted their road block voluntarily an hour later.[217]

10 August - Hristo Ivanov scandal; NSS staff disciplined

Demonstrators voluntarily dismantled their own barricades in front of Sofia University's rectorate building, stating that they did not wish to inconvenience the residents of the capital any further and would instead join together with the tent camps in front of the Council of Ministers building, where they expected to pressure the prime minister into resigning.[218] On the other hand, protesters in Varna re-established the tent camp that had previously been dismantled by police forces in front of the city's town hall. The police briefly attempted to stop the demonstrators from re-establishing the camp, but retreated following a short clash.[219]

The nation's National Security Service, which came under intense criticism during the Rosenets beach incident that contributed to the start of the protest movement, concluded their review of their agents actions during the incident on the Rosenets beach. The NSS stated that their personnel did not act in accordance with their own professional obligations. In the subsequent disciplinary measures, two of the agency's members were fired for disciplinary reasons, two were put on demotion notice and two were verbally chastised.[220][221]

The protest movement was rocked by a scandal, as Democratic Bulgaria leader Hristo Ivanov was shown on video to be approached by another man, whom he appeared to know, later recognized as Dimitar Lambovski - a former NDSV parliamentarian with links to the SIC criminal organization. Lambovski approached Ivanov, asking that the two discuss something to do with another figure from the Bulgarian underworld. Ivanov motioned for Lambovski to stop speaking and told him that the conversation should happen at a later time, as he was livestreaming at the time, with which Lambovski agreed.[222][223][224] Ivanov later explained that he had only known Lambovski for a short while, saying that the two had met during the "Eight Dwarfs" investigation, but denied any links to the criminal underworld. Ivanov added that "all of Bulgaria knew" that PM Borisov had "deep SIC roots" and claimed that the event was part of a government propaganda campaign to smear his reputation.[224] Nevertheless, the events led to calls by some demonstrators for Ivanov to reveal the full extent of his conversation with Lambovski, so as not to degrade the protest movements anti-mafia credentials, as they deemed his current explanations to be insufficient.[225]

PM Borisov then stated in an interview before the media that he was still willing to work with Hristo Ivanov, stating that Ivanov had been his deputy in previous governments and Borisov did not desire for Ivanov to resign from any position. On the other hand, Borisov stated that he would only demand the resignation of President Radev.[226][227]

11 August - Socialist motion passes; Scientists call for government resignation

The opposition Socialist Party succeeded in pushing through a motion to interrupt the National Assembly's recess and hold an extraordinary meeting of the assembly on 13 August. The socialists demanded that the government provide explanations regarding the violent incidents that occurred during the ruling party's conference, and reviewed the budget amendments introduced by the government.[228][229] Socialist leader Korneliya Ninova stated that her party would continue to push for the government's resignation, as they opined that the cabinet's resignation coupled with early parliamentary elections would be the only way to solve the country's political crisis.[230]

Meanwhile, in the town of Sliven, the joint headquarters of GERB and the SDS was splashed with red paint by a demonstrator in what the ruling party described as "an act of vandalism". Anti-government demonstrators reacted by scheduling another protest in front of the headquarters, demanding that the ruling coalition resign from power.[231]

Later that day, nearly 170 scientists representing the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences signed an open letter that demanded the government's resignation. The scientists cited what they dubbed the "autocratic-mafioso style of governance", systemic corruption, alleged political abuse of the prosecution and insufficient measures against the COVID-19 pandemic as the reasons behind their demand.[232][233]

12 August - Government announces new social measures

Responding to popular discontent with the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, PM Borisov announced a second stimulus package, aimed primarily at schools, students and young families. The cabinet released a statement that the new stimulus package would amount 2,532,000 Bulgarian lev.[234]

Protesters rejected the new measures and stated that their demands had remained the same. In Sofia, the protesters marched to the German embassy in the country with blindfolds, which demonstrators stated alluded to the perceived indifference of the European Union towards Borisov's alleged mafia-style of leadership.[235][236] A group of protesters also once again blocked the intersection in front of Sofia's university, which another group of demonstrators had voluntarily freed two days prior.[237]

As police forces in the country had so far prevented demonstrators from physically blocking the Trakia motorway several times, groups of anti-government demonstrators instead took to blocking the highway by merging into it with their vehicles, then driving at low speeds across all lanes of traffic, thus effectively creating a rolling roadblock that resulted in a kilometers-long traffic jam which blocked the motorway.[238][239] Similar roadblock motorcades were held shortly thereafter in Haskovo and Veliko Tarnovo, effectively blocking traffic in a large section of both cities for several hours.[235]

13 August - Extraordinary session fails; Blockades worsen

The extraordinary session of the nation's parliament failed due to lack of a quorum. Besides the Socialist parliamentary group that had called the extraordinary session, it was only attended by a handful of MPs from the DPS, two from GERB and one from Volya. The Socialist Parliamentary group then accused the ruling party's MPs of being "too afraid" to attend the session, while GERB's parliamentary boss accused Socialist leader Korneliya Ninova of "not doing everything to attain the quorum".[240] Following the announcement of the failure of the session, as well as the Prime Minister's absense from the assembly, protesters jeered and threw eggs at the assembly.[241]

On the 36th night of protests, the blockades worsened as demonstrators established more barricades, blocking the intersections around the Romanian embassy in Sofia,[242] while another group of demonstrators blocked the Danube Bridge that serves as the link between Bulgaria and Romania.[243]

14 August - Prime Minister calls for a Grand National Assembly

Proposal

In an unexpected move, Prime Minister Borisov addressed the nation on TV and stated that he was ready to resign, pending the calling of elections of a Grand National Assembly - an elected constituent assembly responsible for amendments to Bulgaria's constitution. He further proposed the following constitutional amendments:[244][245][246][247]

• That the amount of elected representatives in the ordinary National Assembly be reduced from 240 to 120, while the amount of elected representatives in the Grand National Assembly be reduced from 400 to 280
• That Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council, the nation's highest judicial organ, be abolished and instead replaced by two institutions - a Judicial Judges' Council and a Judicial Prosecutorial Council
• That the powers of the Minister for Justice be reduced only to proposing budgets and to administering the judicial system's real estate properties
• The creation of an "Institute of individual constitutional petitions"
• A mandate for the Chief Prosecutor to deliver a report to the national assembly once every six months
• To allow for the national assembly to interview the Chief Prosecutor on individual judicial cases, after received permission from the prosecutor on said case

Furthermore, he called for 200 of the Grand National Assembly's 400 representatives to be elected through a majoritarian FPTP system instead of proportionally - a change that would favour the ruling party.[246] His proposals would require a 2/3 supermajority in the nation's ordinary national assembly, before a vote on a grand national assembly could be held.[245]

Reactions

The reactions to his speech came almost immediately - his coalition partners from the VMRO demanded additional amendments that would disfranchise those not meeting specific education requirements by banning them from voting in elections or referendums, the introduction of compulsory voting (already present, though unenforced in Bulgaria), "protection for the rights of ethnic Bulgarians", a return of mandatory conscription for all males, prohibitions against a potential future legalization of same-sex marriage (already present in the constitution) and an increase in the powers of the Presidency.[248] His other allies from the SDS enthusiastically supported Borisov's proposal, calling it "statesmanly and timely" and opining that only right-wing European People's Party members could "close the pages of the Lilovo-Lukanite constitution".[249]

Meanwhile, opposition leader Maya Manolova rejected the proposals, rhethorically asking the prime minister of his speech was written by gangsters or Delyan Peevski.[250]

The Bulgarian Socialist Party's parliamentary secretary stated that he viewed the amendments only as an attempt by Borisov to calm down the protesters and remarked that they contained "a fair dose of populism".[251]

Volya leader Veselin Mareshki, who had until then supported the government, stated that he saw the calling of elections for a Grand National Assembly as an "absolutely unneccesary construction" and a "waste of time".[251]

There Are Such People leader Slavi Trifonov commented that in putting forward these proposals, Borisov had become "the official leader of the protests against himself".[251]

Democratic Bulgaria leader Hristo Ivanov remarked that the proposed amendments were a "very late step in a good direction", calling the proposals "not so much a new constitution, but rather a serious revision [of the existing constitution]".[251]

Protesters at the barricades rejected the PM's proposals, expressing both a doubt that Borisov could push the amendments trough and that the amendments would have a positive effect on the country.[252]

Later that day, the proposals were also rejected by President Rumen Radev, who stated that the constitution only allowed for a Grand National Assembly to be called for by either a majority in the national assembly or by the President - not by the Prime Minister. He then accused the Prime Minister of violating the law, supressing freedom of speech and turning "Bulgaria's parliamentary democracy into an autocracy", after which he once again called for the government's resignation.[253][254]

Protests deepen

By evening, the protests deepened as demonstrators established yet more barricades. The "Republican Road" that connects many settlements trough the Balkan Mountains was blocked by demonstrators which stated that they will only allow for automobiles carrying sick people, children or emergency services trough. Meanwhile, a protest motorcade blocked the road near Kalotina for several hours, creating a 15 kilometer long traffic jam. Protesters also attempted to block the international route E79 between Blagoevgrad and Simitli, but were prevented from doing so by police and gendarme forces. Shortly thereafter, protesters attempted to block the route again, this time tying their hands in chains to prevent themselves from being removed by police. This attempt led to clashes between protesters and the police, which managed to prevent the demonstrators from closing the road. Protesting crowds refused to leave and instead began attempting to tie down gendarme vehicles and establish road blocks, leading to intermittent clashes between themselves and the authorities.[255][256]

Reactions

Opinion polls

Popular opinion on protest-related topics

Date of Poll	Statement	Yes	No	No opinion/Don't know	Source
Popular Opinion of the Protests
22-24 July 2020	Do you support the protests?	59%	34%	7%	Gallup
23-30 July 2020	Do you support the protests?	62,5%	37,5%	-	Alpha Research
Popular Opinion of Borisov's Government
16 July 2020	Should Borisov's government resign?	58%	32%	10%	Gallup
3-5 August 2020	Should Borisov's government resign?	66%[lower-alpha 1]	35%[lower-alpha 2]	-	Afis
22-24 July 2020	Should Borisov's government be put on trial?	62%	-	-	Gallup
Popular Opinion of President Radev
22-24 July 2020	Should President Radev resign?	29%	63%	8%	Gallup
Popular Opinion on other related topics
22-24 July 2020	Are early parliamentary elections necessary?	42%	54%	4%	Gallup
22-24 July 2020	Should the DPS be banned?	36%	52%	12%	Gallup

Inclination to attend protests

Date of Poll	Statement	Already attended anti-Borisov protest	Would attend anti-Borisov protest	Would attend pro-Borisov counter-protest	Already attended pro-Borisov counter-protest	Source
16 July 2020	Would you attend a protest?	6%	36%	8%	2%	Gallup

Proposed solutions to the crisis

Date of Poll	Statement	The government should resign and new parliamentary elections should be held	The government should resign and should be replaced by a new government from the same convocation of the parliament	The government should stay, but some ministers should be replaced	The government should remain as it is	Source
3-5 August 2020	Which of these is your preferred solution to the crisis?	50%	16%	16%	19%	Afis

International organizations

 European Union - On 14 July the European Commission expressed its support to the demonstrators right to protest.[257]

• Party of European Socialists (PES) leader Sergei Stanishev issued a statement of support for the protest movement, announcing that the PES would stand behind protesters' demands.[258]
• The European Green Party supported the protests and condemned what they dubbed "violence against peaceful protesters". It also condemned the positions of ALDE and the EPP.[259]
• Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) chairman Hans van Baalen supported MRF leader Ahmed Dogan and condemned what he dubbed "extremism" among the people that had "attacked him and his property".[260] Later Hans van Baalen appologised for his tweet stating that he wasn't informed enough about the situation.[261]
• The leader of the European People's Party group (EPP) supported Borisov's government and stated that Bulgaria "needs Borisov, because he protects the border and doesn't demonstrate a pro-Russian orientation".[262]

National

•  United States - On the fifth day of the protests, the US Embassy in Bulgaria backed the demands of the protesting people, stating that "nobody is above the law".[263]

Domestic

Ruling party

• Prime Minister Boyko Borisov reacted to Radev's initial announcement with a refusal to resign: "GERB will stay in power because the coming financial crisis is the worst, and those who want power have shown that they cannot handle it". He further stated that "All we do is build. More than Todor Zhivkov. More than all the other prime ministers combined. Is that a reason to resign?"[264]
• Vice Premier Tomislav Donchev stated that his party "will not allow a civil war to happen, even if we [GERB] can win it".[265]
• GERB deputy Toma Bikov called the leaders of the protest "the scum of society" and "criminal gangs paid by Vasil Bozhkov" as part of a "plot".[266]
• GERB MP Spas Garnevski (previously affiliated with the SDS and DSB) gave a public interview before state television in which he accused those wanting early elections of committing "national treason". He opined that he saw three groups of protesters: the first seeking to "commit a coup d'état to overthrow the government and install President Radev", the second made up from "marginal parties" supported by "ultra hooligans seeking to spill blood" and the third - young people that "don't know what they want".[156]

Minority parties in the ruling coalition

• Deputy Prime Minister, VMRO leader and Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov publicly lambasted the protests, stating that they had been organized by "a few Sorosoidite NGOs and extra-parliamentary political parties hungry for power", claiming that the goal of the protests, in his view, was to "bring about gay marriage" and "create a gender republic", which he entirely disagreed with.[217]
• The IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement came out with an official statement in which it stated that it would continue supporting the Borisov-led government, so long as it "ended the excess tolerance and liberality" shown towards Bulgaria's Romani minority and "took measures end the Ziganization of Bulgaria". This came after an IMRO village mayor was hospitalized after getting into a fight with Romani.[267]
• SDS leader Rumen Hristov spoke at GERB's 5 August conference, announcing that his party wished to field a joint ticket with GERB in the next elections, rather than appear on the ballot as a separate party.[198] He appealed for a "mobilization" so that the right-wing parties could win any elections they may face.[268]

Official institutions

• Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev stated that he will not resign, calling the protests "orchestrated".[269]

Potential impact on COVID-19 transmission

Medics and commentators have expressed concerns that the protests will contribute to a further rise in the number of infections due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria,[270][271] with actions such as loud speaking identified as significantly more likely to generate a higher number of virus-containing droplets.[272] Infectiologist Atanas Mangarov, whose views have been criticized by many of his colleagues within the field of medicine, has claimed that the protests could be potentially beneficial in the long-term due to herd immunity (acquired as a result of many young and low-risk protest participants catching the virus and recovering from it) bringing the pandemic to a halt.[273] On 1 August 2020, it was revealed that there has been a sharp increase in the positive tests for COVID-19 among police officers in Sofia,[274] with the number of security personnel deployed at the protests reduced as a result and Radoslav Stoynev, head of the Security Police Department, urging that masks be worn outdoors as well.[275]

See also

• 2013 Bulgarian protests against the first Borisov cabinet - a similar protest movement that overthrew Borisov's first government in 2013
• List of protests in the 21st century

Notes

1. Includes 50% of respondents that favoured the resignation of the government and early elections, plus another 16% which favoured the resignation of the government, but without early elections
2. Includes 19% of respondents which stated that the government should be kept as it is, plus another 16% of respondents that preffered the government remain in power but conceded that some ministers should be replaced

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