site.btaUPDATED There Is Damage to Infrastructure after Monday Night's Protest - Sofia Municipal Inspectorate Chief

There is damage to infrastructure, waste containers, the urban environment, and trams from the public transport system. An inspection is currently underway to assess the damage, Nikolay Nedelkov, chief of the Sofia Municipal Inspectorate, told reporters in connection with Monday night's protest in Sofia.

Waste collection was interrupted in the evening but was restored after 1.30 a.m., when the police allowed for that, Nedelkov said. He said that first the public transport lines were cleared so the containers could be removed. After that, litter was pushed tightly into bike lanes, so that roadways can be cleared. At 5.30 a.m., mechanized cleaning of the streets started, he added.

According to Nedelkov, the cost of the damage is more than BGN 80,000. Over 70 waste containers and street bins have been burned or broken, over 180 bike lane barriers have been torn down or burned, and 30 anti-parking bollards have been destroyed. Some 35 sq. m of pavement has been damaged or destroyed. Tram windows have been smashed.

Regarding the unrest in the capital late on Monday, he explained that the permit for the protest was for Independence Square and for a peaceful march. According to the regulations and the law, protests are allowed until 10 p.m. They should not continue later than this, especially not in this form, he noted.

In some places, the electricity supply has been restored, and it is expected to be fully restored throughout the day, Nedelkov added.

On Tuesday, protests against the draft budget for 2026 took place in Sofia and in other major cities around the country. The protest was organized by Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, because of GERB leader Boyko Borissov’s refusal to withdraw from Parliament the draft budget for next year.