Bulgaria’s entire government stepped down after widespread and violent protests by people shocked by higher power prices,.  It's the latest government to collapse in another sign that European Austerity measures are not working.

Eleven people are hurt after street battles with the police. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov and his government stepped down saying, "(he) will not participate in a government under which police are beating people." 

A former bodyguard to communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, Boiko was swept to power in 2009 on pledges to root out corruption and raise living standards, but instead followed the rightist path of cutting benefits to wage earners and pensioners, while hiking taxes on working people.

Unemployment in Bulgaria is 11.9 percent and the average monthly wage is $550.

 


UPDATE:  Bulgaria's Parliament has accepted the Boiko government's resignation.