Bulgaria’s parliament unanimously approved the minority government’s resignation on Friday, December 12, after Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced its exit on Thursday amid mass protests over alleged corruption and the 2026 draft budget’s unpopular tax hikes on dividends, social fees, and austerity cuts.
This pivotal event who: Zhelyazkov’s GERB-led coalition; what: cabinet collapse before a no-confidence vote; when: December 11-12, 2025; where: Sofia’s streets and nationwide rallies; why: public fury at graft in judiciary, energy, and contracts plus economic woes like 5% inflation; how: protesters blocking roads since late November captures stakeholder views with demonstrators demanding snap polls and accountability, Zhelyazkov prioritising “societal expectations,” opposition like PP-DB pushing the vote, and President Rumen Radev calling for swift coalitions or early elections.
Latest developments: All 227 lawmakers present voted yes, GERB leader Boyko Borissov hints at refusing a mandate, risking Bulgaria’s eighth election in four years and threatening January 1 eurozone entry, with parliament now debating a revised budget.
Protests Force Swift Parliamentary Nod and Expose Deep Grievances
Mass demonstrations erupted across Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna since late November, drawing thousands of students, workers, and families who blocked key roads, occupied squares, and chanted slogans like “No more mafia rule!” against entrenched corruption that has long plagued Bulgaria, the European Union’s most corrupt member state according to Transparency International rankings.
The spark was the 2026 budget proposal, which included raising dividend taxes from 5% to 10%, hiking social security contributions, and slashing public spending amid rising living costs exacerbated by inflation hovering at 5.2% and public debt climbing to 25% of GDP despite billions in EU recovery funds.
Zhelyazkov addressed the nation on television, stating solemnly: “Our coalition evaluated the circumstances, obstacles, and responsible choices – before today’s no-confidence vote, the government is resigning. Authority comes from the people’s voice, and we must meet societal expectations.”
Protest leaders, including student organiser Maria Petrova, echoed the sentiment to reporters: “The people have spoken – enough of lies, empty promises, and stolen futures for our children.” President Radev, a vocal critic who had urged the government’s exit, posted on social media: “Fear not the mafia; listen to the public squares!”
These voices humanise a crisis where ordinary Bulgarians, weary of unkept pledges on euro adoption and prosperity, have turned streets into arenas for democratic renewal, forcing lawmakers to act within hours as 227 of 240 parliament members endorsed the resignation in a rare show of unity.
Cycle of Instability Deepens Euro Fears and Recalls Painful Precedents
Bulgaria’s political landscape has been a whirlwind of turmoil, with this marking the fourth cabinet collapse in just three years under the influence of GERB, the centre-right party led by Boyko Borissov, whose previous terms ended amid scandals.
The roots trace back to 2020’s massive anti-corruption uprising, sparked by a leaked video of a de facto ruler ordering prosecutors around, which toppled Borissov’s government and ignited months of sustained protests. Subsequent instability followed: 2021 election probes revealed vote-buying allegations; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drove energy prices skyward, hitting households hard; and leaked documents this autumn alleged multimillion-euro kickbacks in public tenders for roads and hospitals.
As an EU member since 2007, Bulgaria has received over €12 billion in cohesion and recovery aid, yet persistent graft judges taking bribes, energy firms overcharging has delayed full Schengen access and now jeopardises the euro switch on January 1, a milestone delayed five times already.
Borissov, addressing supporters, signalled reluctance: “We won’t rush into a mandate that fails the people,” paving the way for Radev to consult parties, potentially leading to caretaker rule under Foreign Minister Stefan Dimitrov and snap elections by March.
Economists warn that prolonged uncertainty could spook investors, inflate borrowing costs, and force budget revisions today in parliament, underscoring how Bulgaria’s vicious cycle of short-lived coalitions six elections since 2021 mirrors broader Balkan fragility while highlighting the eurozone dream’s precarious edge.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This Bulgarian saga reveals how corruption’s toxic grip, intertwined with economic pain, can shatter governments but also ignite the unyielding spirit of citizens pursuing justice through peaceful means a testament to democracy’s resilience when empathy fuels collective action.
At The Logical Indian, we advocate for peace, dialogue, kindness, and harmony as cornerstones of coexistence, urging leaders everywhere to embrace transparent reforms, inclusive policies, and genuine accountability that uplift the marginalised and foster shared prosperity over elite interests.
