The ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party is planning to review and tone down the full smoking ban, a controversial move, in which they will rely on the nationalists’ support. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
Two protest rallies are scheduled for Tuesday in Bulgaria against the government’s plans to abandon the existing full smoking ban in enclosed public spaces.
Both rallies are to take place in front of the Bulgarian Socialist Party headquarters in downtown Sofia, the first one starting at 10:30 am local time.
The second demonstration, organized by the Bulgarian Greens party, is scheduled for 17 pm.
Spas Panchev, Deputy Chair of the parliamentary group of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, said last week that the full smoking ban in enclosed public places must be dropped before winter.
The ultranationalist Ataka, a key ally of the Socialist-led government, has backed the plan. However, it has been met with strong criticism from the major opposition outfits, including the center-right GERB and the right-wing Reformist Bloc.
The full smoking ban was introduced in June 2012 by the GERB government of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.