(ANSA) - BELGRADE, SEP 19 - Workers from the coal mining and coal-fired thermoelectric power plants staged a national protest in Sofia. Thousands of people took to the streets in support of the protest, which was organised by Bulgaria's two largest trade unions, Podkrepa and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (Knsb), with the slogan "For a clear and sustainable energy future of Bulgaria." Experts note that following EU directives to phase out coal-based energy production, the Bulgarian government has made a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the air by at least 55% by 2030. This involves the closure of 40% of coal mines and thermoelectric power plants by 2026. This would leave tens of thousands of people without work. (ANSA).