Bulgarian MPs Dismiss Controversial State Security Boss
Thursday, 01 January 1970
Bulgaria's parliament dismissed a powerful media figure from his post as head of national security on Wednesday, hoping the move will put an end to protest rallies against the country's fragile three-week-old government.
Thousands of Bulgarians have been demonstrating in Sofia and other cities since last Friday demanding that the Socialist-led coalition quit after it hurt its credibility by naming lawmaker Delyan Peevski to head the security service without any debate.
Peevski, 32, has no experience in the security field and Bulgarian media say he stands behind a powerful network of national newspapers and television channels owned by his mother.
The Socialists have launched public consultations to pick Peevski's replacement and have also agreed to reform an outdated electoral system to soothe concerns over the rule of law.
In a further conciliatory move, the parliament on Wednesday backed government plans to help the poor by raising the minimum wage from October and state pensions in line with inflation from next year.