The newly established association “Miners and energy workers together” is organizing a second protest motorcade. The workers from Maritza Istok coal mines are demanding the preservation of coal mining and an end to carbon emissions trading.

On 13 March protesters briefly blocked traffic along the international Ruse-Svilengrad road, and the approach to Trakia motorway near Stara Zagora. Today’s protest motorcade, which started out at 8 AM from Radnevo, will head for Nova Zagora and Stara Zagora. The demands of the protesters remain unchanged – they want the country to stop paying for carbon emissions until a plant is built for their capture and recultivation on the territory of the mines, and the subsequent use of the terrain as an agricultural and forest fund instead of an industrial zone. The miners are also demanding a stop to the full liberalization of the electricity market in this country which should start in July this year and be completed in 2026.