Thousands rally in Sofia after Bulgaria’s government withdraws its 2026 budget and steps down. The country faces a budget void joining the eurozone on Jan 1.
Protest Momentum
Tens of thousands flooded Sofia and other major cities on Thursday, demanding a fair election and an independent judiciary capable of fighting widespread corruption.
Political Fallout
The demonstrations followed the government’s earlier budget plans for higher taxes and increased spending. The government later withdrew the contentious 2026 budget, but ultimately stepped down, leaving the country without a regular government and a budget for the next year.
Eurozone Transition
Bulgaria, with a population of 6.4 million, is set to switch from its national currency, the lev, to the euro on Jan 1, becoming the eurozone’s 21st member. President Rumen Radev is expected to appoint a caretaker government and set a date for an early election, the eighth since 2021.
Key Takeaways
- Protesters call for fair elections and an independent judiciary.
- The government withdrew its 2026 budget, stepped down, leaving a budget void.
- Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on Jan 1 while appointing a caretaker cabinet.
With the caretaker government yet to be named, Bulgaria stands at a crossroads between democratic renewal and the logistical challenges of joining the eurozone.
