NID: BULGARIA: CROWDS DEMAND FREE ELECTIONS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826789
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: November 20, 1989

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826789
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BULGARIA: Crowds Demand Free Elections
Nlore than 511.(10U people demonstrated in Sofia on Saturday. calling
for democrac�. free elections, and punishment of former leader
ZbiykoNH rallies also were held in at least
four other cities. Part of the crowd, however, booed a speaker who
criticiLed the regime's mistreatment of the Turkish minority. A
smaller, officially sponsored demonstration on Friday also went
be ond the official program in calling for a multiparty system and
immediate elections. New party leader Niladenov told reporters on
Frida that elections are "possible"�elections for the National
Assembly are scheduled for early 1991
Comment: The demonstrators' strong showing probably presages
greater popular activism that could eventually force the leadership
to implement more radical changes. Judging by the demands raised
by demonstrators, dissident groups will have to scramble to remain in
front of popular desires. Despite Mladenov's comment that free
elections are possible, be and other Comnr;nist leaders probably will
continue to resist the idea of a multiparty system. Nonetheless, the
long-docile puppet Agrarian Party announced it rill meet today: it
could take up the cry of' pluralism.
NR Record
c--"7D-Seemet.
TCS 2969/89
20 Nov ember 1989
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826789