- Bulgaria's government resigns amid mass protests.
- Protests erupt over controversial budget proposal.
- Clashes in Sofia before eurozone entry.
Minutes before congress was set to bounce on a no- confidence resolution put up by the opposition over profitable mismanagement and backed by mounting public outrage over pervasive corruption, the nonage coalition, led by the center-right GERB party, blazoned its abdication.
Following last week's demurrers, which were touched off by the government's budget plans for further levies, lesser social security benefits, and increased spending, there were demonstrations on Wednesday. The contentious 2026 budget plan was later withdrawn by the government.
The demands of the demonstrators have grown to include requests for the abdication of the center-right government.
“The decisions of the National Assembly are meaningful when they reflect the will of the people,”
Mr Zhelyazkov said, referring to the anti-government protests.
“We want to be where society expects us to be.”
The protest, which organizers claimed outnumbered last week's events that attracted over 50,000 people, were attended by scholars from Sofia's universities. According to media estimates grounded on drone footage, there were further than 100,000 protestors.
Delyan Peevski, a Bulgarian politician and oligarch who has been sanctioned by both the United States and the United Kingdom and whose MRF New Beginning party supports the government, is at the center of the demonstrators' complaints.
Opponents have accused Mr. Peevski influenced government policies to support oligarchic interests.
“We have no doubt that the government will receive support in the upcoming vote of no confidence. Regardless, the decisions of the National Assembly are important when they reflect the will of the sovereign,”
the prime minister said.
President Rumen Radev, who earlier this week urged the government to quit, echoed that sentiment on Thursday:
“Between the voice of the people and the fear of the mafia – listen to the public squares!”
he wrote in a message to lawmakers on Facebook.
Mr. Radev will now request that parliamentary parties attempt to establish a new government in accordance with Bulgaria's constitution. He will name an interim government to lead the nation until further elections can be held if they fail, as seems likely.
Until a replacement is chosen, Mr. Zhelyazkov's cabinet will continue to serve.
The 6.4 million-person Balkan nation will become the 21st member of the eurozone on January 1st by converting from its own currency, the lev, to the euro.
How will the resignation affect Bulgaria joining the eurozone?
Bulgaria's government abdication is doubtful to ail the country's listed eurozone entry on January 1, 2026, as the specialized transition relies on previous EU blessings rather than a stable press.
The euro relinquishment process, including currency conversion and price binary- display rules, operates on automatic timelines set by the European Commission; interim governance under President Rumen Radev will oversee perpetration, with the central bank handling financial switchover singly of administrative deadlock.
Political fermentation could amplify affectation fears during the transfiguration, detention, post-entry reforms like financial connection, and erode public support amid demurrers over profitable mismanagement, though judges anticipate no formal holdback absent a confluence criteria breach.