Sofia, Jul 30 (AP) Tens of thousands of people took to the streets Wednesday in cities across Bulgaria for a third consecutive week to demand the resignation of the government and the chief prosecutor.

In the biggest anti-government protests in seven years, those in power are being accused of maintaining links to the mafia, refusing to fight corruption and reform the judiciary and suppressing freedom of speech.

Also Read | ICMR to Conduct the International Symposium on Novel Ideas in Science and Ethics of Vaccines Against COVID-19 Pandemic on July 30: Live News Breaking And Coronavirus Updates on July 29, 2020.

President, Rumen Radev, a vocal critic of the government, is backing protesters, saying the centre-right Cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev should step down.

In a public address to the nation, Radev spoke about the deep anger of the protesters. "It has been piling up for years and cannot be suppressed by fear and force," he said.

Also Read | Kodak Shares Surge 1900% in Two Days After Former Camera Maker Secures $765 Million US Govt Loan to Produce Generic Drug Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.

Although the rallies have been mostly peaceful, there have been occasional clashes and some arrests.

In Sofia on Wednesday, protesters blocked several key intersections during business hours, bringing traffic almost to a standstill.

In the evening, a huge crowd gathered in front of the government headquarters singing the national anthem and waving national flags. People chanted "Borissov, you are shame and disgrace" and "Resignation." Many were following calls by the organizers to set up tents outside the Cabinet building and remain there until their demands are met.

In a video on Facebook, Borissov said everyone has the right to demonstrate, but not to block roads and intersections.

"Elections are coming, everyone will be able to vote. This is democracy. Imagine we lose the election and start shutting down crossroads. Is that democracy?” Borissov said.

Borissov has been in power since 2009 and his third term is scheduled to end next March. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)