Bulgarians protest widespread graft and call for a fair election

Tens of thousands of Bulgarians flooded the streets of Sofia and other major cities across the country on Thursday, demanding electoral reform and an independent judiciary capable of tackling the nation’s endemic corruption.

The latest wave of demonstrations follows last week’s protests that were initially triggered by the government’s controversial 2026 budget proposal, which included unpopular tax increases and spending hikes. Facing intense public pressure, the government first withdrew the budget plan before ultimately resigning altogether.

This political crisis leaves Bulgaria, a European Union member since 2007, in a precarious position without a functioning government or a budget for the upcoming year. The timing is particularly problematic as the country prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, becoming the eurozone’s 21st member.

President Rumen Radev must now appoint a caretaker government and schedule Bulgaria’s eighth early election since 2021, highlighting the country’s ongoing political instability.

Thursday’s protesters focused primarily on electoral integrity, voicing concerns about vote manipulation, ballot buying, and result falsification that allegedly marred previous elections. Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans calling for transparent democratic processes.

“What we’re witnessing is the culmination of years of frustration with systemic corruption,” said political analyst Elena Dimitrova from Sofia University, who was observing the protests. “Bulgarians are tired of elections that don’t reflect their true will.”

At the heart of public discontent is the influence of controversial politician and business magnate Delyan Peevski, whose MRF New Beginning party supported the outgoing coalition led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s GERB party. Peevski has been sanctioned by both the United States and United Kingdom for alleged corruption, making him a lightning rod for public anger.

“The presence of sanctioned figures in our political landscape undermines Bulgaria’s international standing and democratic institutions,” said Ivan Krastev, a protester in Sofia who works as a civil engineer. “We’re here because we want a judiciary that can actually hold powerful people accountable.”

Bulgaria has long struggled with corruption issues, consistently ranking as one of the EU’s most corrupt member states according to Transparency International. The country’s judiciary has faced criticism from European institutions for its inability to prosecute high-level corruption effectively.

The political uncertainty comes at a critical juncture for Bulgaria’s 6.4 million citizens. The planned currency transition from the lev to the euro represents a significant economic milestone that requires careful management and stable governance.

Economic experts warn that prolonged political instability could complicate this transition. “The eurozone entry requires fiscal discipline and clear economic policies,” explained Nikolay Vassilev, economist and former Bulgarian minister. “Without a functioning government and budget, meeting these requirements becomes increasingly challenging.”

The protests have drawn participants from across Bulgaria’s social spectrum, including students, pensioners, and middle-class professionals, indicating broad dissatisfaction with the country’s political establishment.

International observers are closely monitoring developments in Bulgaria, which sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe and Asia. The country’s political stability is considered vital for regional security, particularly given its position on NATO’s eastern flank amid ongoing tensions in nearby Ukraine.

As darkness fell over Sofia on Thursday, protesters remained peaceful but determined, lighting candles and phone flashlights in a symbolic gesture for transparency. Many vowed to continue demonstrations until their demands for meaningful reform are met.

The coming weeks will be crucial as President Radev works to form an interim government capable of steering Bulgaria through this latest political crisis while preparing for yet another electoral cycle in a country increasingly weary of political uncertainty.