PES leader Stanishev under pressure from protests at home

Sergei Stanishev, leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES) was under pressure to resign as leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party following a decision of the new Socialist-led government to appoint a controversial media mogul as security chief.

The two-week old government was on the brink of collapse following the surprise decision of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski to appoint Delyan Peevski as leader of the country’s State Agency for National Security (DANS). Peevski, the owner of the New Bulgarian media group, and considered a shady power broker.

On the 19 June 2013, BBC News reported that Mr Oresharski made a U-turn on his decision by apologising for the political appointment that plunged his three-week-old government into crisis. However, he refused to resign.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 19.06.13: Peevski protests force U-Bulgaria PM Oresharski's U-turn http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22965278

ESO: Background information: Bulgarian parliament approves government of new PM Oresharski http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgarian-parliament-approves-government-of-new-pm-oresharski/

Euronews, 19.06.13: When protests succeed: Bulgarian street anger claims another victory http://www.euronews.com/2013/06/19/with-peevski-out-after-five-days-of-protests-what-is-next-for-bulgaria/

Blog: OneEurope, 19.06.13: Protests in Bulgaria: The Awakening http://one-europe.info/protests-in-bulgaria-the-awakening

Dnevnik, 19.06.13: Citizens head back to the streets (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/3895871-citizens-head-back-streets

Blog: The Economist: Eastern Approaches, 24.06.13: Protests in Bulgaria. Yet another early election? http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2013/06/protests-bulgaria?fsrc=rss

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