Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov announced on Wednesday the resignation of his government after days of protests against its policies.
“After the last Cabinet meeting today, I will submit the resignation of my government,” Mr. Borisov told Parliament.
He said that he wanted to avert the threat of more violence during protests. Several people were injured during the two previous days in Sofia when demonstrators clashed with police.
“Every drop of blood is a shame for us,” Mr. Borisov said. “I will not be a part of a government that fights its own people - the people handed the power to us, today we are handing it back.”
The nation-wide wave of protests was triggered by stunningly large electricity bills. The demand for Mr. Borisov’s resignation was added amid widespread discontent over persistent poverty in Bulgaria, an EU member since 2007, and government austerity policies.
Mr. Borisov’s centre-right GERB party swept to power in July 2009 by promising to improve the standard of life and crack down on corruption. Regular elections were due in July, but now a vote could be by the end of April, analysts said.
