Bulgarian president expected to dissolve parliamentMarch 12, 2013 - 14:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev is expected to dissolve parliament and name a caretaker cabinet, following weeks without a government, BBC News reported. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov resigned last month following persistent street protests against high energy bills, poverty and corruption. The president has had major problems trying to fill the power vacuum, with parties refusing to form a government. Protesters have threatened to surround parliament and stop MPs leaving. President Plevneliev has not announced who will make up the new cabinet - he is expected to pick mostly non-partisan, technocrat ministers. "I wish we could work like [Prime Minister Mario] Monti did in Italy," he told Austrian newspaper Der Standard, referring to the reforms brought in under Mr Monti's technocratic government. Early elections are expected in May. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007 but is its poorest member. Bulgarians hoped EU membership would see prosperity rising. But a quarter of the country's population still lives below the poverty line, with incomes half that of the European average. Anger has also grown with the government for a perceived failure to tackle cronyism and corruption. The final straw for many was the winter electricity bills that for some spiraled beyond the monthly wage. The death of at least two protesters by self-immolation has fuelled public anger. After more than a week of protests former Prime Minister Borisov tried to calm the protests by promising to slash electricity prices and by sacking his finance minister. But he quit after protests continued and turned violent. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |