EU member’s government steps down amid anti-corruption protests

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has said he will step down ahead of a no-confidence vote

The Bulgarian government has declared its resignation in the wake of widespread anti-corruption protests throughout the nation. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated on Thursday that he and his cabinet would resign after confronting their sixth no-confidence motion.

This development occurs mere weeks before Bulgaria is scheduled to enter the eurozone on January 1. The administration had earlier introduced a contentious 2026 budget, formulated in euros, which proposed elevated taxes and higher social security payments.

However, the proposed legislation triggered several weeks of large-scale protests, with demonstrators alleging government corruption and expressing anger over the inability of consecutive administrations to eliminate it. Bulgaria has conducted seven general elections in the last four years.

Even though the government retracted the budget plan last week, protesters persisted in calling for Zhelyazkov’s resignation and the removal of several other powerful political figures.

On Thursday, Zhelyazkov’s government was due to confront its most recent no-confidence motion, which was submitted by opposition parties. However, prior to the vote, the prime minister declared that despite the motion proceeding and likely being defeated by the ruling coalition, he and his government would still step down.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, whose constitutional powers are restricted, had previously supported the demands for the government’s resignation. After Zhelyazkov’s resignation, Radev is anticipated to invite parliamentary parties to attempt to form a new government. Should they fail, he will be responsible for establishing an interim administration until new elections can be organized.