Bulgarian government resigns amid nationwide protests

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has announced the resignation of his government, amid nationwide demonstrations against high electricity prices.

Borissov made the announcement on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian Interior Ministry had said on Tuesday that the protests against high bills for electricity and heating were held in at least ten cities, including the capital, Sophia, where 25 people were arrested. More than a dozen people were also injured in Sophia.

It is reported that three police vans and several other vehicles were damaged in the capital during the clashes between the protesters and security forces.

The Bulgarian prime minister had said on Tuesday that the price of electricity could be cut by eight percent. He had also decided to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov.

The demonstrations began ten days ago and have continued across the country ever since.

As residents of the European Union’s poorest member, Bulgarians have to allocate a big part of their monthly income to electricity bills, especially in the winter.