Bulgaria's government resigns after mass protests and just weeks before nation due to join eurozone

"Bulgaria's government resigned on Thursday after mass protests gripped the country and just weeks before the European Union nation is due to join the eurozone. The resignation of the minority coalition, led by the center-right GERB party, was announced minutes before parliament was scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition over economic mismanagement and supported by growing public anger with widespread corruption."

"The demonstrations on Wednesday came after last week's protests that were sparked by the government's budget plans for higher taxes, increased social security contributions and spending increases. The government later withdrew the contentious 2026 budget plan. The protesters' demands had expanded to include calls for the center-right government to step down. The decisions of the National Assembly are meaningful when they reflect the will of the people, Zhelyazkov said, referring to the anti-government protests. We want to be where society expects us to be."

Bulgaria's government resigned after mass protests and just weeks before the country is due to join the eurozone. The resignation of the minority coalition led by the center-right GERB party was announced minutes before parliament was to vote on a no-confidence motion over economic mismanagement and widespread corruption. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters the government is resigning ahead of the vote. Demonstrations followed last week's protests sparked by government budget plans for higher taxes, increased social security contributions and spending increases; the government later withdrew the contentious 2026 budget. Students joined the protests, and media estimates based on drone visuals put turnout at over 100,000.

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