A hectic political week begins in Bulgaria. On Tuesday, June 21, the parliament discusses the motion of no confidence in the government of Kiril Petkov, submitted by the opposition party GERB. The vote will take place a day later, on 22 June. Analysts say the outcome of the vote is predictable, after last week's vote to oust National Assembly Speaker Nikola Minchev by a newly formed parliamentary majority of the opposition and the breakaway ruling coalition party There is Such a People.

• The removal of the President of the National Assembly as a dress rehearsal for the ousting of the government

The pro-government rallies in the centre of Sofia begin on 20 June at 6 pm with a "March for European Bulgaria - in defence of parliamentarism and democracy", organised by the advocates for judicial reform from the Justice for All initiative. The protest will merge with the civic march in support of the government, which will start at 18:30 in front of the Parliament.

Pro-government demonstrations are expected to continue on 21 June during the parliamentary debates. 

On the same day, a rally of the opposition party Vazrazhdane is organised in front of the parliament demanding the resignation of the cabinet and early parliamentary elections.

Pro-government demonstrations are expected to continue on 21 June during the parliamentary debates. 

On the same day, a rally of the opposition party Vazrazhdane is organised in front of the parliament demanding the resignation of the cabinet and early parliamentary elections.

The Ministry of Interior warned that it respects citizens' right to freedom of expression, but police will carry out their duties under the law to protect public order. Across the country, there will be checks on operational alerts and calls on social media to escalate protests, the statement said.

Bulgarians abroad also staging protests

"Today our country is in crisis: political, economic and even identity crisis. A battle is being fought with the mafia, which has merged with the state. We will choose democracy over authoritarianism, freedom over submission, courage over fear," reads the invitation with which the Bulgarians in Austria call a protest on June 20 at 6 pm in front of the Bulgarian embassy in Vienna. The aim is to express support for the government of Kiril Petkov in the fight against the mafia, reports the blog of Bulgarians living in Austria, "Melange Bulgarien".

The initiative comes from the facebook group „Протести Австрия 2020“ ("Austria 2020 Protests"), which were at the core of the mass marches against the mafia and the government of Boyko Borissov in the summer of 2020. We do not want GERB and DPS in power!"

Editors: Ivo Ivanov, Elena Karkalanova