Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov announced on Thursday, December 11, that his government is resigning after less than a year in office. The decision comes in response to massive, sustained public protests across the country against corruption and the current model of governance. The resignation was declared just ahead of a scheduled parliamentary vote on a no-confidence motion filed by the opposition.
The protests, which drew tens of thousands of people into the streets, were initially triggered by a controversial 2026 draft budget that critics argued was designed to mask rampant corruption. Although the government withdrew the budget proposal last week, public anger only continued to grow. Demonstrators in Sofia, the capital, chanted “Resign” and carried signs expressing deep frustration with the political class.
Prime Minister Jeliazkov acknowledged the public’s demand, stating, “People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and religions have spoken out in favour of resignation. That is why this civic energy must be supported and encouraged.”
The country’s president, Rumen Radev, had also openly backed the protesters and called for the government to step down to pave the way for early elections.
This resignation marks the latest chapter in Bulgaria’s prolonged political instability. The country, which ranks among the European Union’s lowest members on corruption perception indexes, has now seen seven snap elections since major anti-graft protests in 2020.
The current ruling coalition, led by the conservative GERB party, was formed after the most recent election last year.
Despite the political crisis, analysts suggest that Bulgaria’s planned entry into the eurozone on January 1, 2026, is unlikely to be derailed. However, the resignation underscores the severe crisis of public trust in Bulgarian institutions, with sociological surveys indicating that confidence in the government and parliament remains near historic lows.
