Thousands of people from across the country rallied in downtown Sofia on Friday, demanding that the government either improve its economic and social policy or step down. Confidence in the new Bulgarian government has been falling precipitously since the general elections. The Bulgarians has had to face tax increases and price hikes for heating and electricity. The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria said 15,000 people took party in the rally, while police officers counted 3,000 protesters. This was a national demonstration against poverty, organized for the third year in a row by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions, CITUB. The other influential trade union, Podkrepa, did not participate in the demonstration. The rally ended in front of the building of Parliament. There CITUB leaders called on the Cabinet to resign. On March 12, the trade unions refused to participate in a round table of the Social Ministry. In a special declaration, addressed to the protestors, Social Minister Lidia Shuleva reminded that to organizers of the protest and asked them to resume the constructive dialogue with the government.

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