Bulgaria warns citizens of unrest in four European countries

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has warned Bulgarian citizens who are currently in or planning to travel to France, Italy, Belgium and Portugal to exercise increased caution, avoid crowded areas and central squares, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Following mass protests and outbreaks of unrest in several European cities, including Paris, Milan, Brussels and Lisbon, clashes with law enforcement officers and traffic disruptions have been reported. The situation in Italy is returning to normal, while tensions in France are expected to persist and lead to further strike action, primarily affecting public transport, the Foreign Ministry added, CE Report quotes BTA.

The Ministry advises citizens to check public transport schedules in advance. To monitor restrictions in real time, citizens can consult the Strike Tracker platform, which provides information on ongoing and upcoming strikes and protests, as well as the Sortiraparis platform, which publishes official orders issued by the Prefecture and police authorities in France.

France has been gripped by protests since September. On October 19, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, expressing the public's "anger and shame" over the unrest and looting that occurred during nationwide protests in recent days. The demonstrations, which were sparked by rising living costs and poor conditions in educational institutions, resulted in the arrest of at least 2,400 people.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs