Angry Protesters Storm Parliament

Demonstrators broke through a police line and stormed parliament, smashing furniture and computers and setting an office on fire in a rampage aimed at forcing former Communists from power. The protesters were angered by the ruling Socialists’ inability to boost wages, which average $20 a month, or halt skyrocketing inflation and rampant crime. At least 10 police officers were injured. State TV showed some protesters with head injuries. Opposition leader Ivan Kostov proposed a compromise under which the Socialists would agree to early elections if the opposition dropped its demand that they be held immediately. The next elections are scheduled for 1998.