site.btaPresident Urges Protestors, Police to Keep Calm and Not Allow to Be Embroiled in Plot for Government's Survival

Sofia, September 3 (BTA) - In an address to the nation on
Thursday evening, President Rumen Radev called on the protestors
 and police to remain calm and make sure they are not embroiled
in schemes for the survival of "a government marred by
corruption and violence". The President made the statement a day
 after clashes between police and protestors tarnished close to
two months of peaceful protests against the government and the
prosecutor general.

Radev argued that the protests are the only "possible and
justified" action against the "capture of Bulgarian democracy"
and said it is the duty of each Bulgarian citizen to say "No" to
 violence, repressions and lawlessness.

He reiterated his position that the government's immediate and
unconditional resignation is the only solution to the crisis.

He summed up the clashes between protestors and police on
Wednesday night as "provocations staged by the power-holders
which prompted large-scale and disproportionate police violence
against protestors and journalists".

Radev went on to slam the parliamentary majority for trying to
make  machine voting meaningless through changes in the election
 law and pave the way to election violations.

He said that parliamentary support for the new constitution
project of the ruling GERB party is being traded for beach
concessions, promises of lucrative jobs and cash.

The "concessions" reference is apparently about Volya leader
Vesselin Mareshki who, on the morning of September 2, said that
his party was not going to support the ruling party's proposal
for a new constitution and did the opposite later that day.
Allegations are that he sold his support for a 20-year beach
concession which went to one of his aides on the same day.

Radev called the proposed new constitution "ridiculous but
convenient to the Establishment" and said there is an attempt
"to push it through with the power of money and with the
protection of the police shields".

The actions of the majority threaten public peace, worsen the
crisis and turn Bulgaria into a hostage to their own political
survival, said Radev. LN/NV/