Tens of thousands demand elections as anger grows over corruption.
On Thursday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the resignation of his government after mass protests in which tens of thousands of citizens demanded he step down.
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“We have heard the voice of society,” said the prime minister, whose government took office in January and was composed of the conservative Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and the anti-establishment populist party “There Is Such a People” (ITN).
Thursday night’s protest, called by the pro-European opposition coalition We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB), drew large numbers of young people and demanded the government’s resignation and new elections, which would be the country’s eighth since 2021.
“We want to support the large protest calling for the government’s resignation and the return of the budget, which, although revised, is still not enough. No one has said we should stop making art or anything like that, but for art to reflect how people live, people have to be able to live well,” said Emanuil Tsonev, a film and television directing student.
🇧🇬🪧 A fresh wave of fury in Bulgaria, as tens of thousands protested against the government, blaming it for corruption and its proposed 2026 budget 👇 pic.twitter.com/rovwnp7l1p
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) December 11, 2025
“We are fed up with corruption, with vote-buying during elections, with the capture of institutions, with the lack of justice, with miserable pay in several sectors. We demand that the government, which steals from its citizens to benefit oligarchs and the mafia, leave,” another protester told state broadcaster BNT.
The demonstrations were initially organized to block the approval of the government’s proposed budget, but they quickly turned into anti-government protests.
Much of the protesters’ anger is directed especially at former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, leader of GERB, and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. and the United Kingdom for corruption. With his minority party DPS–New Beginning, Peevski provides key support for the tripartite coalition—of which he is not a member and which lacks a parliamentary majority—to govern.
Although neither Borissov nor Peevski sits in the cabinet, they wield significant influence over the decision-making of Zhelyazkov’s government. Peevski also controls the judiciary, the security services, much of the media, and other important sectors of Bulgaria’s economy.
“Resignation! Peevski and Borissov out of power,” read the slogan of the march that began Wednesday, when several dozen students gathered in front of Sofia University and the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, blocking traffic on one of the capital’s main avenues.
They then marched toward the so-called “triangle of power,” an area housing the headquarters of the government, Parliament, and the presidency, to join the many others who had arrived to take part in the large demonstration.
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Health-care workers also joined the national protest to demand decent salaries and better working conditions. Their main demand is establishing a minimum monthly salary of 1,550 euros for the sector, which would double the current 750 euros.
Unlike the Dec. 1 protest, during which violent groups provoked clashes that resulted in 71 arrests, Wednesday’s demonstration in Sofia proceeded peacefully.
“I want a better future for myself in Bulgaria and not to be forced to emigrate because of these rulers who have stolen my parents’ lives. We will not allow Peevski and Borissov to steal our future. They must leave immediately,” said a young protester.
“Resignation” and “The mafia out of power” were projected onto the façade of the government headquarters in laser-beam lettering.
“We have 20 meters left to reach the finish line: Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone on Jan. 1. After that date, I will talk about resignations and protests,” Borissov told the press.
According to the latest corruption perception index from Transparency International, Bulgaria ranks second-to-last in the EU, above only Hungary.
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Source: EFE
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