Bulgarian Government Resigns Amidst Widespread Protests Against Corruption

The Bulgarian government has resigned less than a year after taking office in response to mounting public outrage over corruption. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov made the announcement on Thursday, just prior to a parliamentary vote on a no-confidence motion brought forth by the opposition. Recent rallies across Bulgaria have seen tens of thousands of protesters demanding government accountability and action against corruption. The uproar was ignited by a controversial draft budget for 2026, which many citizens viewed as an attempt to disguise pervasive corrupt practices. Although the government retracted the budget last week, public frustration has remained high. In a press conference, Zhelyazkov stated, "The government resigns today" after a meeting with leaders from ruling parties. He noted that citizens from various demographics—age, ethnicity, and religion—have unified in their call for the government's resignation, emphasizing the importance of supporting this public outcry. Bulgaria, currently the European Union’s poorest country, is scheduled to adopt the euro on January 1 next year, a move expected to proceed despite the government stepping down. Analysts warn that the ongoing economic challenges and the low confidence in governmental institutions could complicate this transition. The protest movements have garnered significant political support, with President Rumen Radev publicly siding with demonstrators and advocating for a governmental resignation to facilitate early elections. On Wednesday, a massive protest took place outside the parliament in Sofia, where participants chanted "resign" and held signs stating "I'm fed up," accompanied by caricatures of political figures. Gergana Gelkova, a 24-year-old shop worker and participant in the protests, expressed her frustration over the state of corruption in Bulgaria, noting her friends have relocated abroad with no intention of returning due to the deteriorating conditions. The overwhelming sentiment reflects a broader dissatisfaction with a political landscape characterized by corruption; Bulgaria continues to rank low on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index. The country has witnessed unprecedented political upheaval, with seven snap elections held following the widespread protests against the government led by three-time premier Boyko Borissov in 2020. The centrist-right GERB party emerged as the victor in the most recent elections last year, leading to the formation of the current coalition government in January. With the government's resignation, the path forward remains uncertain amidst calls for transparency and reform. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3 • Source 4 • Source 5