ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997 TAG: 9702040096
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: SOFIA, BULGARIA
SOURCE: Associated Press
Bulgaria's ruling Socialists named a new government Monday, risking violence from struggling citizens who blame them in daily protest marches for the country's economic chaos.
Tensions were high Monday as the Socialists - the Communists' successors - ignored pointed suggestions by the president to surrender their mandate to govern.
Traffic came to a complete standstill in Sofia as public transport workers went on strike and students blocked key intersections. Tens of thousands joined the daily march through the city, chanting ``Red garbage!'' and ``Victory!''
Hyperinflation has caused the national currency, the lev, to fall fourfold in value since Jan. 1. Average monthly wages have plummeted from $70 to $10 in a year. Panicky residents are lining up daily at banks, stores, bakeries and gas stations to buy supplies before their money is worth even less.
Efforts to solve the economic crisis have been paralyzed by political disputes over whether the Socialists would continue to rule. Demonstrators blame the Socialists, who have ruled for more than two years, for the country's economic troubles.
A previous Socialist government resigned in December, but because they are the largest party in parliament, they legally had another chance to form a government. The opposition repeatedly rejected offers to build a coalition.
On Monday, Socialist Party leaders overwhelmingly approved a proposed Cabinet under new Premier-designate Nikolai Dobrev.
Dobrev, interior minister in the outgoing government, said a one-party government was not ideal but better than the current power vacuum.
Dobrev must now present his proposed Cabinet, more than half of which belonged to the old government, to President Petar Stoyanov. The president will call Parliament for a vote, probably on Wednesday.
The Socialists, who hold 124 of 240 seats in Parliament, have seen a few of their deputies defect in recent weeks, so it is not clear they can command the majority that will let them keep power. If they do, violence is likely.
LENGTH: Short : 46 linesby CNB