The Bulgarian government is ready to seek public consensus and dialogue on the implementation of the urgent stabilization measures stipulated in its program, according to a media statement of Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.

Oresharski issued a statement commenting on the escalation of tension and clashes between police and protesters on the 40th day of anti-government rallies.

"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to police officers and all bodies of the Interior Ministry for their professionalism and courage in taking control of the situation of escalated tension and provocations, which led to an unprecedented blockade of ministers, MPs, experts and journalists inside Parliament on Tuesday night," Bulgaria's Prime Minister says.

"I call on the citizens protesting in the name of democratic values to not allow further provocation and to place a clear-cut delineation line between freedom and the right to express opinions and the attempts to trample on the rule of law, civic freedoms and public order," he states.

"Democracy is incompatible with the violent imposition of any will over the will of others.

The rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution cannot be revised," Oresharski notes.

"What happened on Tuesday night confirmed a worrying symptom which surfaced on the night after the May 12 elections. The fact that peaceful protests of citizens were taken over by acts of vandalism, street barricades, physical clashes and provocation against police officers, is one of the most unpleasant signs of the crisis of values which plagues society," he suggests.

"It is extremely important at this moment for all institutions to carry out their responsibilities and for all social groups to show willingness to engage in dialogue in the name of maintaining Bulgaria's reputation as an EU Member State and the security of all Bulgarian citizens," he states.

"I call on the Interior Ministry, the executive branch, the prosecuting authority, and the Sofia Municipality to take all legal steps and measures to secure the observance of the law so as to guarantee the normal functioning of the state," Bulgaria's Prime Minister says.

"The government has a clear plan of urgent stabilization measures aimed at improving the social condition of Bulgarian citizens and the business climate and making the government more democratic. This plan did not draw antagonism. Finding an exit from the crisis and restoring statehood, justice and development in Bulgaria requires consensus. We are intent on seeking public consensus and dialogue to achieve these goals," he concludes.

Oresharski's statement comes on the 42nd day of anti-government protests in Bulgaria.

The series of rallies was triggered by the appointment of notorious media mogul Delyan Peevski as Chair of the State Agency for National Security (DANS) back on June 14, but the protesters were not appeased by the subsequent cancellation of the decision and went on to demand the resignation of the Socialist-led cabinet over ties with oligarchs.

On Tuesday evening, the 40th anti-government rally in a row, tension escalated, with protesters blocking the doors of the Parliament building, trapping inside more than 100 MPs, journalists and staff.

The "hostages" were safely evacuated at 3:30 am on Wednesday, following a night of clashes between protesters and riot police.

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