Protesters in Sofia and other Bulgarian cities went off about the government's euro-based budget proposal right before the country switches to the single currency next month. Demonstrators threw rocks and fireworks at ruling party offices after cops set up barriers, and the minority government already said they'd redo the whole thing to buy time for more talks with unions and opposition groups.
Opposition crews are mad about higher social security payments and dividend taxes funding bigger government spending, plus the usual corruption complaints. Nearly half the country hates the euro switch anyway since they think it'll mess with sovereignty and give retailers an excuse to jack up prices when converting from the lev.
The ECB president already warned that inflation could spike when Bulgaria joins the eurozone, which isn't helping calm anyone down.
Opposition crews are mad about higher social security payments and dividend taxes funding bigger government spending, plus the usual corruption complaints. Nearly half the country hates the euro switch anyway since they think it'll mess with sovereignty and give retailers an excuse to jack up prices when converting from the lev.
The ECB president already warned that inflation could spike when Bulgaria joins the eurozone, which isn't helping calm anyone down.
