14 January 2009 - 14 February 2009. One month of civil protests in Bulgaria.

On the 14 January 2009 Sofia witnessed violent street protest. More than 50 people were
arrested, and there have been numerous reports of the police acting unprofessionally and
excessively violent.

The protests were organized by 22 different Bulgarian social movements. The most often
mentioned are:
• The students. They that had been protesting against corruption and a grave lack of
resources in the educational system. The protests started when Stojan Baltov was
beaten to death outside a discoteque near his dormitory in Studentski Grad 5th of
December.
• The ecologists.They had been demonstrating since years for better protection of
Bulgarian wildlife. Their latest big campaign was against exploitation of the Rila
mountain, and against the zamenki. Zamenki was a system that allowed private
investors to exchange cheap land for parcels in attractive areas that should be
protected.
• Organizations representing different kind of Bulgarian farmers.
• The association of Bulgarian mothers.

A list of 35 demands, ranging from subsidies and import protection for farmers to stronger
support for children of drug addicts and a ban of the zamenki system were handed over to
the parliament on the 14th of January. As the demonstration turned into, riot media tended
to report on the acts of violence.

The protests continued until Sunday 18th January. New demonstrations were held
Wednesday 21 January and 11 February.

The protesters managed to shortlist their absolute demands ahead of the meeting the 21
January. These included the resignation of minister of interior Mihail Mikov whom the
protesters see as responsible for the violence 14th of January and the death of Metodi
Marinov in custody the night after the demonstrations. Moreover, the protesters demanded
a reformed, electoral system and the posibility to initiate local referendums with decisive
power.

No organizations representing ethnical minorities participated. The Bulgarian anarchists also

declined to participate, as did the far right movement Ataka.

The zamenki system was banned after the demonstrations on 14 January. In spite of this
cases of state land being exhanged have been recorded.
Parliamentary commissions are currently discussing a number of demands. The government
has proposed budgetize more money to student facilities.
The opposition is actively pursuing the protesters demands in the parliament. Two liberal/
right parties are preparing a motion of no confidence against the government.

The ecologists have launched a campaign for citizens participation in the Bulgarian
democracy.
The internet community is argumenting against the imposing of new laws regarding storage
of ISP clients data.

In June Bulgaria will hold elections to the parliament. The Socialists' main contender is
GERB, a populist right wing party.