The government of Bulgaria has resigned from leadership after days of widespread protests.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced Thursday that his government would be relinquishing power following mass protests and preparing for possible future elections if a majority cannot be formed to replace them.
“Our coalition met, we discussed the current situation, the challenges we face, and the decisions we must responsibly make,” Zhelyazkov said. “Our desire is to be at the level that society expects … Power stems from the voice of the people.”
“The government resigns today,” Zhelyazkov told reporters after a meeting of the ruling parties’ leaders. “People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and religions have spoken out in favor of resignation. That is why this civic energy must be supported and encouraged.”
Protesters took to the streets earlier this month following the announcement of the country’s 2026 budget plan, the first such plan based on the Euro currency. Bulgaria is preparing to transition from the domestic lev to the pan-European legal tender on Jan. 1 as part of its entrance into the European Economic and Monetary Union.
We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria, the two main opposition parties, reportedly organized the estimated 50,000-person demonstrations, with accusations that the proposal increased taxes too steeply and was being used to veil corruption.
Zhelyazkov’s government eventually withdrew the budget proposal, but mass demonstrations have continued for days.
Preeminent in citizens’ concerns is the outsize role of Parliament Member Delyan Peevski, a politician sanctioned by both the United States and the United Kingdom for political corruption and manipulation on behalf of regional oligarchs. Peevski is believed to wield immense power behind the scenes despite having no executive role in the government.
The Bulgarian head of state, President Rumen Radev, was among the most vocal supporters of the street protests against the prime minister and his government.
Radev published a series of scorched-earth diatribes against the Zhelyazkov on social media in the days leading up to the resignation, accusing them of “corruption,” embezzlement, and administering a “captured state.”
“Bulgaria needs a real change that will lead to the rule of law and the restoration of statehood, and that is something that the current governing coalition cannot achieve,” he told the public in an address aired on state broadcast BNT last week. “An early election is the only way forward.”
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Zhelyazkov is now asking parties in parliament to form a majority and field a new government. If this is not possible, he is prepared to appoint an interim administration to govern while an election is scheduled.
It would be Bulgaria’s eighth such election in just four years.
