Sofia, Dec 11 (EFE).— Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned on Thursday along with his conservative-led coalition after massive overnight protests saw tens of thousands demand his ouster over corruption allegations.
«We have heard the voice of society,» said the prime minister, whose government took office in January and was composed of the conservative GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and the populist ITN.
The resignation came just before a vote of no confidence, the sixth since the coalition took power on Jan. 15.
“We do not doubt that the government would overcome the next vote of no confidence. But for us, Parliament’s decisions make sense only when they reflect the will of the sovereign people,” Zhelyazkov said in his address.
The fall of the government comes just weeks before Bulgaria introduces the euro on Jan. 1 and follows unrest sparked by anger over the first draft state budget prepared in the single currency.
Last week, the government withdrew its 2026 budget proposal, which included tax hikes, higher contributions and new fees, after widespread criticism from protesters and opposition parties.
Despite the withdrawal, demonstrations continued in a country that has held seven national elections in four years, the latest in October 2024, amid deep political and social fractures.
Last night’s rally, the third in recent days organized by the pro-European opposition coalition PP-DB, drew large numbers of young people demanding the government’s resignation and fresh elections, which would be the eighth since 2021.
Public anger targeted former prime minister Boiko Borisov, leader of GERB, and oligarch Delyan Peevski, sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom for corruption, whose minority party DPS–New Beginning provides crucial support to the coalition, which lacks an absolute majority.
Although neither Borisov nor Peevski was part of the cabinet, analysts say both wield decisive influence over Zhelyazkov’s government.
Many Bulgarian political scientists argue that Peevski also holds substantial sway over the judiciary, security services, major media groups and strategic sectors of the economy in the EU’s poorest member state.
«Resignation! Peevski and Borisov out of power,» chanted demonstrators, with students projecting slogans such as “The mafia out of power” onto the façade of the government headquarters.
A survey published Thursday showed the protests have eroded support for GERB, the winner of the most recent election, and that 82 percent of respondents want a new governing model, including leadership renewal and a more effective judiciary.
According to the latest Transparency International corruption perception index, Bulgaria ranks second-worst in the EU, ahead only of Hungary. EFE
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