The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) is today organising a mass protest demonstration in Sofia on Monday 18 December under the slogan "For higher wages in the 2024 budget and for a clear and secure energy future for Bulgaria". The demonstration will be attended by the union's leadership and members from all sectors and regions of the country.

The protest will start in front of the National Assembly and turn into a protest motorcade through the central avenues and streets of the capital this morning, before returning to Parliament. The capital is expected to be blocked for about two hours.

The main demand of the protesters is to secure an additional 450 million leva (230 million euro) for public sector wage increases in Budget 2024. The CITUB warned that social tensions were brewing in many places - regional health inspectorates, the school and children's health service, agencies under the agriculture ministry, the road infrastructure agency.

"We are ready for an effective strike in Sofia. There could be no transport in the capital at Christmas," threatened CITUB leader Plamen Dimitrov.