"The decision comes after several major protests sparked by anger against the government budget plans for 2026 broadened to include disenchantment over the government's economic policies in general and a failure to eliminate corruption. Transparency International ranks Bulgaria, which is set to adopt the euro on January 1, as the second-most corrupt country in the European Union, only behind Hungary. Bulgaria is the EU's poorest country, according to the bloc's statistics office."
"Tens of thousands gathered in Sofia and other cities late on December 10 chanting "Resign! Resign! Resign!" and "Mafia Get Out!" outside of parliament. The protests were mainly peaceful. "I hope very very very strongly that this wave will turn into a much higher voter turnout which will change the kind of government we have," one protester told RFE/RL during the demonstration. It was not clear if the country would head into fresh elections, which would be the eighth in the past four years."
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his government resigned on December 11 following major protests triggered by a 2026 budget that would raise taxes and social-security contributions. The demonstrations widened from budget opposition to broader anger over economic policy and failure to tackle corruption. Tens of thousands protested in Sofia and other cities, largely peacefully, chanting for the government to resign and denouncing the political system. Transparency International ranks Bulgaria as the EU's second-most corrupt country, and the country remains the bloc's poorest. Political instability has led to multiple elections since 2021, and new elections may follow.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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