Bulgarian Government Resigns Amidst Massive Protests
The Bulgarian government resigned on Thursday (December 11) following large-scale protests that have shaken the foundations of the government, which has been in power for less than a year.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the decision on Thursday in a televised speech just moments before the parliament was set to vote on a motion of no confidence.
The resignation comes less than three weeks before Bulgaria is set to join the Eurozone.
“Our coalition met, discussed the current situation, the challenges we are facing, and the decisions we must responsibly make,” Zhelyazkov said, confirming the resignation of the government.
On Wednesday night, thousands of Bulgarians gathered in Sofia and dozens of other towns and cities as part of the recent wave of protests, highlighting public anger at entrenched corruption and the failure of past governments to eradicate corruption.
Many protesters are young urban professionals who strongly support Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone, hoping for deeper integration of the country into the European mainstream. Bulgaria remains one of the poorest and most corrupt member states in the European Union.
Last week, the Bulgarian government proposed increasing social security contributions and taxes to fund government spending, sparking another round of protests. Despite Zhelyazkov later withdrawing the controversial 2026 budget plan, protesters’ demands have expanded to calling for the government to step down. Media estimates based on drone footage suggest that the number of protesters exceeded 100,000.
Since taking office in January, the Zhelyazkov government has survived six votes of no confidence, but this time, the large number of protesters taking to the streets has changed the situation.
The government’s resignation will be formally submitted to the parliament on Friday, where a resolution accepting the resignation must be passed. Following this formal process, President Rumen Radev will give the largest party in parliament the opportunity to form a new government. If they fail, the second-largest party will be given a chance. If they also fail, the President will appoint a caretaker cabinet until new elections are held.
With a population of 6.4 million, this Balkan country is set to switch from using its national currency, the lev, to the euro starting January 1, becoming the 21st member of the Eurozone. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007.