Brussels, 04/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday, tens of thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets in around 10 cities to demonstrate against corruption and poverty, calling for the political elite to be replaced with new representatives of the people, AFP reports. In Sofia, the demonstrators marched in the morning with placards stating: “Mafia bosses in prison. They are many, they are rich, they are brazen, but they will not last”. Further demonstrations were held throughout the country, some of them organised by ultra-nationalist groups condemning “colonisation” by Brussels. The country has been plunged into political crisis since the resignation of the Conservative government of Boïko Borissov, following widespread demonstrations against high electricity prices, and also against the corruption of the political leaders and worsening living conditions. The country, which wishes to join the Schengen area, has been under close monitoring by the Commission since 2007 as part of the mechanism for cooperation and verification, which assesses the country's progress in legal reforms in the fight against corruption. (SP/transl.fl)