Bulgarians gathered for the 51st consecutive evening on Independence Square in downtown Sofia to request the resignation of the Socialist-endorsed government. Photo by BGNES
Hundreds of Bulgarians have taken once again to the streets of the capital Sofia Saturday evening to demand the resignation of the country's government for a 51st day in a row.
Despite forecasts that the rallies will end as Bulgarian lawmakers are now on summer break, demonstrators gathered once again on Independence square in front of the Council of Ministers building.
There number, however, was much lower, compared to the peak of the protests when up to 20 000 showed up. According to the official data of the Interior Ministry, 300 people attended Saturday evening.
Independence square and "Dondukov" and "Tsar Liberator" boulevards were closed for traffic.
Around 8 pm, the rally started its traditional route and moved in the direction of the Parliament.
The procession was led by a young woman in bathing suit, whose body was painted in Bulgaria's national colors.
Many were waiving the national and EU flags and holding various anti-government banners. People were blowing whistles, hissing, and shouting "resignation."
There was very large riot police presence. Police tried to prevent the demonstrators from blocking the Eagles' Bridge intersection. People, however, used the underpasses in the area and still managed to reach the intersection and close it.
Some later returned to the Parliament.
Small protests against the Socialist-endorsed Cabinet of Prime Minister, Plamen Oresharski, were also held in other the cities across the country.