Sofia city hall bans parking around Parliament, cathedral
Sofia city hall said on February 21 that it temporarily banned parking and extended stays by cars on two major squares in central Sofia – National Assembly Square in front of Parliament and Alexander Nevsky Square in front of Alexander Nevsky cathedral.
The temporary ban was in place until February 24.
The city hall said that its decision was motivated by “the congregation of large groups of people” in central Sofia for the protests against high electricity prices, now in their second week.
Additionally, on February 24, an electoral college made up mainly of clergy with minority representation for laity will choose the new Patriarch by secret ballot at a meeting in Sofia. Should voting go smoothly, the plan is for the electoral college to walk in procession to Alexander Nevsky cathedral to await official guests from abroad.
The city hall usually bans parking around the cathedral on national holidays and other occasions when the cathedral is used for official ceremonies.
(Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia. Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
