Anti-corruption protests erupt in EU nation (VIDEO)
Thousands of people took to the streets across Bulgaria, calling for the resignation of the prime minister and several other influential politicians
Tens of thousands of individuals participated in large-scale protests across Bulgaria on Wednesday, leveling accusations of long-running corruption against the government and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov along with several other key political figures.
These demonstrations—among the biggest in the country in recent years—occurred in Sofia and various regional cities. They come after weeks of unrest sparked by a contentious 2026 budget proposal that included plans for higher taxes and increased social security contributions.
While the government later pulled back from the plan, the protests have persisted, with participants and opposition parties asserting that Sofia has not addressed deeper worries about corruption and political sway.
Beyond calls for the government to resign, protesters have demanded the ousting of politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski—leader of the MRF New Beginning party, which plays a critical role in backing the current coalition government.
Peevski has been sanctioned by the U.S. and the UK due to corruption and bribery. Critics have charged him with wielding substantial influence over Bulgaria’s state institutions to further his personal interests.
Protesters have also called for the removal of Boyko Borissov, a former three-time prime minister whose GERB-UDF bloc leads the coalition that established the current government. Opponents have long alleged Borissov of facilitating deep-seated political practices viewed as “state capture.”
Local media have observed that the protests have drawn a significant number of Bulgarian Gen Z members (born between 1997 and 2012), who have voiced increasing frustration over corruption, limited economic opportunities, and political stagnation. Many have stated they no longer feel represented by the country’s political elite.
Government officials have downplayed the protests, emphasizing that the contested budget proposals have already been withdrawn. Borissov has also claimed, without providing evidence, that the protests are intended to block Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on January 1—a process he has linked to the approval of the 2026 budget, which was drafted in euros.
Bulgaria has consistently been ranked by several international organizations as one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union, often landing near the bottom of all member states in terms of perceived public sector integrity.