Bulgarian miners want coal mining preserved until 2040

Miners from the Maritza Iztok coal complex went on a protest in Sofia. The organizers of the CITUB and Podkrepa trade unions said they were defending Bulgaria's energy independence.

The protesters called for finding an effective solution for the future of the coal mining areas after the closure of the mines. Protesters forecast a severe winter and warn that a possible energy crisis could lead to a social crisis due to high carbon prices in the EU.

The participants will submit a protest declaration and a petition for protection of coal mining to the caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev. Trade unions are to start talks with the Prime Minister and other ministers. /BGNES