Bulgarians urge govt to quit over economy

Thousands of Bulgarians rallying in the Bulgarian capital on Saturday urged the government to quit over economic crisis in the European Union's poorest nation.
About 4,000 people joined a protest called by opposition socialists dubbed “Red Card for the Government.” Demonstrators chanted “Resign” and waved banners reading “Where are the reforms?” and “No to poverty”.
“We want a better life and an increase in salaries,” said Rositsa Stanimirova, 51, from the village of Svetlya in western Bulgaria who works as a hospital attendant on a monthly wage of 240 levs ($174).
“You can't buy anything – neither clothes, nor shoes … You can't pay your bills … You can't afford anything.”
The minority government of the centre-right GERB froze state salaries and pensions a year ago but pressure on incomes has risen with food and fuel price rises.
Earlier this month, tens of thousands of Bulgarians protested across the Balkan country against high fuel costs and more rallies have been scheduled for March 27.
Economic difficulties and delay in crucial reforms in the healthcare and pension systems have hit the popularity of the GERB which came to power almost two years ago on promises to battle a deep recession.