Bulgaria’s Fight Against Rising Food Prices Continues with Second Boycott on February 20
Public pressure over rising food prices will continue as civil movements in Bulgaria prepare for a second boycott of retail chains on February 20
A recent consumer boycott in Croatia sparked a wave of similar actions across the Balkans, as citizens expressed frustration with high prices. On January 24, many Croatian shoppers refrained from making purchases in solidarity with a Facebook-led movement called "Hello, Inspector." Supported by consumer protection groups, trade unions, and even political parties, the boycott saw retail turnover drop significantly. According to data from Croatia's Tax Administration, receipts on the day of the protest were 29% lower than the previous week, with retail trade showing an even sharper decline of 44%.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic acknowledged the protest as a clear message from citizens, stating that the government would consider this when determining measures for price control. Finance Minister Marko Primorac expressed his understanding of the boycott and indicated that such civil actions could have a greater impact on pricing, even though the government itself should not organize them. Following the success of the boycott, there are talks of extending the protest to target specific retail chains or products, with the platform “Alo, Inspector” calling for further actions depending on consumer feedback.
The movement has since spread to other Balkan countries. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a call for a boycott on January 31 aims to draw attention to the rising costs of living and stagnant wages. Organizers are urging citizens to avoid spending money on that day and instead prepare by purchasing essentials in advance. The boycott is seen as a way to pressure authorities to limit inflation, raise the minimum wage, and improve living standards. Despite previous efforts by the government to freeze prices on essential food products, many citizens believe that food prices in the country have become disproportionately high compared to more developed nations.
Similarly, in North Macedonia, a boycott of supermarkets is being organized for the same day, driven by growing concerns about unrealistic price increases. The opposition party, SDSM, blames the government for failing to address the issue, while the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party supports the initiative, criticizing traders for speculatively raising prices. The government had attempted to address the issue with a so-called "New Year's basket," but citizens feel that the measure was insufficient, as prices were already inflated before reductions were applied.
In Montenegro, the NGO "Alternative Montenegro" has also joined the regional protest by calling for a boycott of supermarkets and shops on January 31. The group emphasizes that high prices are affecting all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, and claims that the retail chains are responsible for the rise in living costs through coordinated pricing practices.
As the boycott movement spreads across the Balkans, it is clear that citizens are using their collective purchasing power to demand government action on pricing and living standards. Whether this growing discontent will lead to substantial policy changes remains to be seen, but the ongoing protests are a testament to the widespread dissatisfaction with the current economic situation in the region.
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