Individuals, who have nothing to do with the noble cause of protecting nature, have marred the recent protest rallies in the capital Sofia, according to Bulgarian Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

Speaking in an interview for bTV Monday morning, the Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria reiterated his earlier statements that individuals from Bulgaria’s criminal contingent have mixed with the group of young people and families with children rallying in Sofia in protest against the controversial amendments to the Forestry Act.

On Monday, he added to his idea about the rallies by asking rhetorically where have all these guardians of nature been over the years in order to prevent the overdevelopment of the summer resort Sunny Beach where in 20 years hotel beds grew to 320 000 from 18 000.

Tsvetanov proceeded further by giving examples about bad practices of the previous Three-Way Coalition cabinet and praising the government of his ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB. He stressed on the need to balance the strategy of boasting tourism with preserving nature.

The Minister backed firmly arguments of other members of the cabinet that the amendments to the Forestry Act, passed by the Parliament last Wednesday, will generate jobs, keep young people in the area, and advance infrastructure.

To a question of the host if when the protest against the veto on the Act, imposed Saturday by President, Rosen Plevneliev, moves to Sofia (as the organizers have threatened) the police will push the demonstrators and accompanying politicians from GERB from traffic lanes, Tsvetanov explained that Members of the Parliament represent their regions and have the right to take part in rallies and defend the interests of local people.

About 500 people from the winter resorts of Bansko and Razlog gathered Sunday near the town of Simitli in a rally backing the amendments to the Forestry Act, passed by the Parliament last Wednesday.

The protest, widely-believed to be staged by the "Nature for People and Regions" coalition funded by notorious businessman Tseko Minev, was staffed by several hundred citizens from the mountainous Blagoevgrad region.

It lasted about 40 minutes, while the E-79 road to Greece was blocked for about 20. Lyuben Tatarski, MP from GERB, was at the helm of the blockade.

In the interview, Tsvetanov reminded that Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has stated clearly that he wants full consensus on the Forestry Act.

It is expected that eco activists will meet with Borisov once again Monday, following their first ever meeting with him on Friday.

Thousands of Bulgarian nature lovers and other citizens opposing the Forestry Act have been staging protest rallies in the area of the key intersection of Orlov Most (Eagles Bridge) in Sofia ever since Wednesday evening. On Sunday they went to the location to plant flowers after being accused by Tsvetanov of destroying the nearby green areas in the central Borisova Gradina park.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, announced that the counter-protest will be held once again Monday with a blockade of E-79 by the people from the towns of Dupnitsa and Sapareva Banya. It will last about 15 minutes.

The Mayor of Simitli, Apostol Apostolov, declared the Sunday rally illegal, saying the demonstrators were paid to attend, bused to the location, and guarded by police who beat people at other protests.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!