Bulgarians protest 'corrupt' government

SOFIA, Bulgaria, June 26 (UPI) -- Thousands of Bulgarians demonstrated in Sofia Friday, demanding higher wages, and political and economic reforms, witnesses said.

The protest rally, organized by the Bulgarian Podkrepa trade union confederation, was held under the motto, "20 years of lies, plunder and treachery are enough. We want justice," the national news agency BTA reported.

Podkrepa Chairman Konstantin Trenchev said the anti-government protest, held in heavy rain, drew 10,000 to 15,000 demonstrators.

The protesters rallied 10 days before Bulgaria's parliamentary elections July 5 to demonstrate "growing public anger" and dramatize their discontent with living in one of the poorest and most corrupt countries of the 27-member European Union, the Bulgarian news agency SNA said.

Shouting slogans such as, "We must change Bulgaria," union leaders demanded a minimum monthly salary of $288, a reduction in the value-added tax for a majority of essentials, education and healthcare reforms, and higher unemployment compensation.