Supporters of Socialist-backed government chant slogans during a pro government rally in Sofia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
CORRECTION Bulgaria Politics
CORRECTS DATE Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski, centre, of Socialist-backed government, smiles as he attends a pro government rally in Sofia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
Bulgaria Politics
Supporters of Socialist-backed government from all over the country attend a pro government rally in Sofia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
Bulgaria Politics
Supporters of Socialist-backed government from all over the country attend a pro government rally in Sofia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
Bulgaria Politics
Supporters of Socialist-backed government from all over the country attend a pro government rally in Sofia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
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SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Tens of thousands of supporters of the main political parties are gathering in Bulgaria’s two biggest cities at pro- and anti-government rallies, which reflect the deep division that has paralyzed the Balkan nation for months.
At Saturday’s rally in Sofia, supporters of the governing coalition of the Socialists and an ethnic Turkish party expressed solidarity with the Cabinet.
In the second biggest city of Plovdiv, backers of the center-right GERB party accused the incumbents of incompetence and demanded early elections.
The Socialist-backed government took office in May, but ever since has been facing street protests fueled by concerns about corruption.
Late last month, students staged full and partial blockades at a number of universities.
