Protests Topple Gov't in 'Bulgarian Spring'

PM quits after protests against high power prices
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 20, 2013 2:51 AM CST
Protests Bring Down Bulgarian Government
A wounded protester speaks to riot policemen during a protest against high electricity prices in Sofia last night.   (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Nationwide protests against austerity measures and soaring electricity prices have brought about a "Bulgarian Spring." Prime Minister Boiko Borisov says his government is resigning after 25 people were injured in clashes between protesters and police, Reuters reports. "I will not participate in a government under which police are beating people," he said. Borisov had earlier tried to calm protests by firing his finance minister and promising to cut power prices. Bulgaria is the European Union's poorest country and its people are deeply unhappy about corruption and low living standards, adds the BBC. It's not clear whether elections scheduled for July will now be brought earlier. (More Bulgaria stories.)

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