BREAKING: Bulgarian government resigns amid mass protests
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned on December 11, hours before parliament was due to vote on a no-confidence motion, following weeks of mass protests over corruption and economic policy failures.
Zhelyazkov announced the decision in a televised address, citing public demands and civic pressure as the reason for stepping down. “Power stems from the voice of the people,” he said, urging society to channel its civic energy constructively.
The resignation comes just 20 days before Bulgaria is scheduled to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026. Officials have stressed that the political upheaval will not delay the currency transition.
Tens of thousands of Bulgarians had taken to the streets on December 10 for the third time in two weeks, with an estimated 150,000 gathering in Sofia and thousands more in other cities. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Resign” and “Peevski and Borissov out”, targeting Delyan Peevski, a US-sanctioned powerbroker whose party suppoted the ruling coalition, and former prime minister Boiko Borissov.
The demonstrations, organised by the opposition group Change Continues–Democratic Bulgaria, initially opposed controversial 2026 budget proposals, including increases in social security contributions and taxes on dividends. But the protests encompassed broader frustration with corruption, entrenched graft and government inefficiency.
Zhelyazkov’s government, formed in January 2025, had survived five previous no-confidence votes and faced its sixth before the prime minister decided to resign on December 11.
President Rumen Radev, who has limited constitutional powers, called on lawmakers to form a new government. If no majority emerges, he will appoint an interim administration until elections can be held.
Bulgaria’s political fragility has been marked by repeated snap elections, with the most recent in October 2024 producing another fragmented parliament. GERB, led by Borissov, won 69 of 240 seats, leaving it dependent on support from Peevski’s party.
Despite the turmoil, Bulgarian authorities and the Bulgarian National Bank have indicated that euro adoption will proceed as planned.
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