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

Bulgaria’s government collapsed on Thursday following massive street protests, resigning just minutes before parliament was set to vote on a no-confidence motion. The political crisis comes at a critical moment for the Balkan nation, which is preparing to join the eurozone on January 1.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the resignation of his minority coalition government, led by the center-right GERB party, acknowledging the widespread public discontent that had manifested in growing demonstrations across the country.

“Ahead of today’s vote of no confidence, the government is resigning,” Zhelyazkov told reporters in parliament. “The decisions of the National Assembly are meaningful when they reflect the will of the people. We want to be where society expects us to be.”

The latest wave of protests on Wednesday reportedly drew over 100,000 people according to media estimates based on drone footage, surpassing last week’s demonstrations that had attracted more than 50,000 citizens. University students joined the movement, expanding its reach and impact.

The unrest initially erupted over the government’s controversial 2026 budget plan that proposed higher taxes and increased social security contributions. Although officials later withdrew the contentious budget, the demonstrations had already evolved into broader calls for the government’s resignation.

At the heart of public frustration lies the influence of Bulgarian oligarch Delyan Peevski, a controversial figure who has been sanctioned by both the United States and United Kingdom. Critics accuse Peevski, whose MRF New Beginning party supported the government, of shaping policies to benefit oligarchic interests rather than the general public.

Though Zhelyazkov’s administration had previously survived six no-confidence votes since taking office in January, the massive street protests ultimately proved decisive in forcing its collapse.

The resignation process will formally begin on Friday when the government submits its notice to parliament for approval. Following this, President Rumen Radev will initiate the constitutional process of forming a new government, first giving the largest parliamentary group the opportunity to establish a coalition.

Political analysts expect this process to be challenging in Bulgaria’s fragmented political landscape. If no viable government can be formed – which many consider likely – the president will appoint a caretaker cabinet until new elections can be held. This would mark Bulgaria’s eighth parliamentary election since 2021, highlighting the ongoing political instability in the country.

Assen Vassilev, who leads the opposition We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition, welcomed the government’s resignation as “the first step in making Bulgaria a normal European state.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring the next elections are free from manipulation, suggesting concerns about electoral integrity in previous votes.

The political turmoil comes at a particularly sensitive time for Bulgaria, which is scheduled to adopt the euro as its currency on January 1, becoming the eurozone’s 21st member. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, but its path to full integration with European institutions has been complicated by persistent issues with corruption and political instability.

The upcoming transition to the euro represents a significant economic milestone for the nation of 6.4 million people, but the current political uncertainty raises questions about how smoothly this process will unfold amid governmental changes.

As Bulgaria navigates this latest political crisis, the country faces the dual challenge of establishing stable governance while maintaining momentum on its European integration goals and addressing the underlying concerns about corruption and economic management that sparked the protests.