Bulgaria Government Resigns Amid Anti-Corruption Protests

Bulgaria’s government has announced its resignation amid mass anti‑corruption protests, with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov saying he and his cabinet will step down. The decision comes ahead of a no‑confidence vote scheduled for Thursday.

The move follows weeks of demonstrations across the country, during which protesters accused the government of corruption and expressed frustration over its failure to address the issue. The protests were initially sparked by a proposed 2026 budget that included higher taxes and increased social‑security contributions. Although the government withdrew the proposal, the demonstrations continued, with demonstrators demanding Zhelyazkov’s resignation and the removal of other influential politicians.

Bulgaria is set to join the euro zone on 1 January, and the government’s resignation arrives at a critical moment for the nation’s economic and political landscape. Opposition parties had tabled a motion of no confidence against Zhelyazkov’s government, which the ruling coalition was expected to defeat. Nevertheless, the prime minister announced that he and his cabinet would resign regardless of the vote’s outcome.

President Rumen Radev, whose constitutional powers are limited, had previously supported calls for the government’s resignation. With Zhelyazkov’s departure, Radev is expected to ask parliamentary parties to form a new government. If they fail to do so, he will be tasked with establishing an interim administration until new elections can be held.

Bulgaria has held seven national elections over the past four years, underscoring the country’s ongoing political instability. The resignation marks a significant development in Bulgaria’s struggle with corruption, a problem that has drawn criticism for the government’s lack of progress. As the nation prepares to join the euro zone, forming a new government will be crucial for restoring stability and confidence in its political and economic systems. The next steps will be closely watched both domestically and internationally as Bulgaria navigates this critical period in its history.