SOFIA (Reuters – Protesters against vaccines attempted to storm Bulgaria’s parliament Wednesday. They briefly fought police officers in a huge rally opposing coronavirus restrictions downtown Sofia.

Tensions rose after about 3000 people protested in front the Parliament Building demanding that the mandatory health pass be lifted. They claimed it was an infringement of their rights, and was used to force people into getting vaccinated.

Many of those who arrived by bus for the protest pushed back the police line around Parliament and reached the doors.

They did not break into the building, and instead called upon lawmakers to meet their demands. Several were hurt, including officers of the police, during these brief clashes.

The rally was organized by the ultra-nationalist Revival Party, and they waved national flags as well as flags belonging to the Revival. They chanted “Freedom”, “Mafia” in protest at all the measures taken against the virus.

The green certificates are not approved by me. The fact that school children have been prevented from going to classes is something I don’t approve of. Asparuh Miov, a 39 year-old engineer told Reuters in the beginning that he didn’t see the logic.

To be able to enter restaurants, shops, malls, and gyms, Bulgarians must wear masks both indoors as well as on public transportation.

Bulgaria was the EU’s least vaccined country. On Wednesday, it reported record-breaking nL1N2TS09X daily infection rates. It was likely due in large part to Omicron, which is highly contagious.

Kiril Petkov was elected Prime Minister last month. He pledged to increase vaccinations in Balkan countries.

After a coronavirus-positive participant in a security conference they were attending on Monday, Petkov and President Rumen Radev entered self-isolation.

He reiterated the fact that the health pass will not be lifted.

Petkov explained that at this point, where the cases seem to be increasing, understanding the connection between the number of people vaccinated and their health is essential. “It cannot be lifted,” Petkov added.