The Bulgarian government withdrew an unpopular 2026 draft budget after tens of thousands of angry people took to the streets in the capital Sofia and other cities across the country.
The protests are mainly led by young Bulgarians who claim the government is hiding widespread corruption. Business groups and opposition figures also say the draft budget would hurt Bulgaria’s economy just before the country joins the eurozone in early 2026.
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A protester holds a sign with the logo of the popular Japanese manga One Piece, a symbol adopted by Gen Z protest movements worldwide, during an anti-government protest in Sofia on December 1, 2025. Tens of thousands of people held anti-government protests in Bulgaria on Monday, expanding an anti-corruption movement that has swept the European Union’s poorest country as it prepares to adopt the euro. (Nikolay Doychinov/AFP via Getty Images)
“They want reforms. The government refused to listen. Its proposed budget simply extended all its previous policies, financed by higher taxes, social security contributions and more debt,” Lorer added.
As protests continued, the Bulgarian government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, eventually backed down, promising to scrap the most divisive elements of the budget, including tax and social security increases.
The Prime Minister said a new budget would be presented at a later date.
“The government saw what the citizens who demonstrated had to say… I support these people who are protesting for more rights, more democracy, more justice. We believe that the protest has less of a political side, but more of a social, human side, seeking more dialogue, more tolerance and more harmony in social relations,” Prime Minister Zhelyazkov said at a press conference.
“This is a visible protest of young people, young people who are looking for their place in Bulgaria’s future, that we must hear, and we are obliged to do what is necessary to be secured with the resources that the country has,” Zhelyazkov added.
The protests were largely peaceful. However, some masked protesters clashed with police after attacking ruling party offices in Sofia.
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Political stability in an EU country, one with a long history with neighboring Russia, is ripe for Moscow’s usual ploys to intervene in the internal affairs of its former communist bloc allies.
“Russia is always happy to stir up trouble. Anything that disrupts the democratic process in any EU country is welcome, and even more so in Eastern Europe, their former sphere of influence,” Lorer said.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who holds a largely ceremonial position, sided with the opposition and opposed the budget, calling for the government’s resignation and early elections.
A protester pushes a burning garbage can during a scuffle with police during a demonstration organized by Bulgaria’s opposition PP-DB coalition against the proposed financial framework of the country’s budget, Sofia, Bulgaria, December 1, 2025. (Dmitar Kyosemarliev/Reuters/File Photo)
“Radev, repeating Kremlin talking points and opposing the euro, could still sabotage the process despite it being legally irreversible. This is a volatile mix that threatens stability and could lead to more unwanted Russian interference,” Stefanov said.
Bulgaria, together with Romania, will join the eurozone in January 2026. Although joining the Eurozone is seen as an important step in Bulgaria’s political and economic development, the introduction of the currency is unpopular in large parts of society, as fears of inflation and the cost of living hinder the livelihoods of ordinary Bulgarians.
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Bulgaria, one of the poorest countries in the European Union, joined the EU in 2007 and formally began the process of joining the eurozone in 2018. The Lev, the Bulgarian currency, was included in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in July 2020.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Russian delegation and some officials ahead of the talks in Istanbul, on May 14, 2025 in Moscow, Russia. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Since the country’s announcement to join the monetary union, skepticism has grown, with many Bulgarians unconvinced that their economic prospects will improve once they join the union.
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Many experts and observers have concluded that Russia is behind a sustained social media campaign to stoke opposition and sow doubt and confusion as Bulgaria’s accession date approaches.
