Security Sector Protestors Demand Resignations of Interior Minister, Parliament

Sofia, June 13 (BTA) - Protestors from the security sector
demanded the resignations of Interior Minister Roumyana
Buchvarova and heads of Interior Ministry directorates at a
rally in front of the Ministry's building on Saturday. Later on
the protesting police officers, firefighters and prison guards
demanded the resignation of the National Assembly.

Speakers at the rally said the security sector was "in a waking
coma". Their main objection is to Social Insurance Code
amendments which introduce a retirement age of 52 years and 10
months as of January 1, 2016 and increase it by two months a
year until it reaches 55 years in 13 years' time. They also
demand no more secondments to the Turkish border, no overtime
above the statutory limit, and no more restructuring of the
Ministry.

At present there is no age requirement. Military officers and
policemen can retire after 27 years' service, of which 18 years
in the system.

Still, the protesting police officers, firefighters and prison
guards from all over the country urged the Interior Ministry's
leadership to continue dialogue with them openly, in the
presence of the media. Valentin Popov, President of the Trade
Union Federation of Interior Ministry Employees, said it would
then become clear who talks politically and who talks vaguely
and provides unclear information.

The protestors stopped briefly in front of the Parliament
building to remind the MPs that the police protected them from
"the popular affection" in the not so distant past.