A mass anti-corruption uprising forces Bulgaria’s government to resign, highlighting the country’s deep-rooted political instability.
Story Highlights
- Mass protests in Bulgaria lead to government resignation.
- Demonstrations began over a draft budget and expanded into anti-corruption rallies.
- PM Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned before a no-confidence vote.
- The crisis unfolds just before Bulgaria’s eurozone accession.
Protests Lead to Government Resignation
In a significant political upheaval, Bulgaria’s entire government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, resigned in December 2025 following mass nationwide protests. Initially sparked by a controversial 2026 draft budget proposing tax hikes and increased social security contributions, the protests swiftly evolved into a broader anti-corruption movement. Protesters demanded an end to the oligarchic influence they accused of entrenching “mafia” politics in the country.
On December 11, 2025, PM Zhelyazkov announced his cabinet’s resignation at an extraordinary parliamentary session, acknowledging the public’s demands. This move preempted a scheduled no-confidence vote and came just weeks before Bulgaria’s anticipated entry into the eurozone on January 1. The resignation underscores the deep public dissatisfaction with entrenched oligarchic networks and persistent political instability in Bulgaria.
Historical Context and Key Players
Bulgaria’s political landscape has long been marred by corruption and oligarchic control, particularly since the 1990s. Figures such as Delyan Peevski, a media magnate and senior figure in the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), have become symbolic of this influence. Previous governments, including those led by former PM Boyko Borissov, have repeatedly fallen due to similar protests. The Zhelyazkov administration, in power for less than a year, relied on parliamentary support from DPS, further drawing public ire.
President Rumen Radev and opposition parties, such as “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB), played crucial roles in the unfolding events. The opposition coalition, which had tabled the sixth no-confidence vote against Zhelyazkov’s cabinet, capitalized on the protests to push for government change. Meanwhile, President Radev urged MPs to heed the protesters’ demands, emphasizing the government’s lack of public confidence.
Implications and Future Prospects
The resignation of the Zhelyazkov government creates a political vacuum necessitating a caretaker government and new elections, exacerbating voter fatigue with nearly eight elections in five years. This instability casts a shadow over Bulgaria’s eurozone accession, potentially unsettling markets and EU partners. However, the repeated collapse of governments due to public protests may push future administrations to pursue more credible anti-corruption reforms.
For the general population and especially the youth, the protests represent a critical moment in confronting systemic corruption. The engagement of Gen-Z activists could reshape Bulgaria’s political culture towards less tolerance of corruption. The business community, while facing short-term instability, may benefit from long-term reforms that deliver more predictable, rule-based governance.
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Bulgarians demand government resign in mass protests over corruption
