“Vazrazhdane” party protest against green certificates: PM Petkov went to the protesters

“Vazrazhdane” party on February 23 is protesting for the second time against the Covid-19 "green certificate", this time in front of the building of the Council of Ministers. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov went to the protesters.

The protest started at 11.00 in the triangle of power - the space between the Presidency and the National Assembly.

PM Petkov came 30 minutes after the start, which was a surprise for everyone. He was booed by the crowd, but nevertheless went up to the rostrum and answered questions from the leader of "Vazrazhdane", Kostadin Kostadinov.

Kostadinov called for calm and tolerance. From the rostrum, PM Petkov said that if we want change we have to work together. He said he was here to hear criticism and the government was not afraid to talk to the people.

Speaking earlier in Parliament, PM Kiril Petkov said he would go and meet with the protesters.

“Do you know why I am here with you? Because it is important that if we want change in this country, we must work together. If we don't work together, we won't get anywhere. And the other thing I want to tell you is that I've been to a lot of protests and I've been right here. The form of the protest is important and I welcome it, but we need to start talking more instead of hating each other. I came here to hear and see - one option was to stand from above, from the office and look out the window. I am here to hear your criticism,” Prime Minister Petkov told protesters.

"We welcome the decision for lifting the green certificate. We believe that this, although belated, is the right decision. However, we believe that the deadlines should be shortened. It is good it would be done in stages, the question is why should we wait so long," said Kostadinov, the leader of "Vazrazhdane".

Although the cabinet announced the phasing out of measures against the coronavirus and the abolition of the green certificate from 20 March, “Vazrazhdane” party described the deadlines as unacceptable. They insist that this should happen much sooner, not in a month's time.

They also described the keeping of the measures for wearing protective masks and testing of students as unacceptable.

The protesters are also demanding an immediate revision of the state budget in the part concerning the Covid-19 restrictions.

The protest is also against the price shock.

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“Vazrazhdane” (Revival) is a far-right party represented in Parliament for the first time following the November elections, having crossed the 4% threshold thanks to its anti-vaccine and anti-vaccine certificate rhetoric.

Anti-vaxxers rallied by “Vazrazhdane” tried to storm the Bulgarian Parliament building on 12 January on the same day the country peaked with the highest-ever confirmed number of Covid-19 infections.

images by Dessilava Kulelieva

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