VIDEO Anti-corruption protest in Sofia. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians are calling for the resignation of the government in the streets
Anti-corruption protest in Sofia Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Tens of thousands of people protested, on Monday, in Sofia, against the Bulgarian government, otherwise marking the intensification of an anti-corruption movement in the poorest country of the European Union, a movement that particularly targets the 2026 budget project, writes AFP.
Protesters took to the streets of Bulgaria's capital on November 26 to demonstrate against the draft budget that provides for a public sector wage increase and tax increases. Critics of the draft budget believe that the management of public finances is so corrupt that the measures would only strengthen the corruption.
Monday's demonstration is the largest in recent years, with protesters gathering in the square in front of the Parliament, with placards demanding the resignation of the government.
At least 40,000 gather in #Sofia #Bulgaria to protest against the inadequacy of the current government's fiscal policy & proposals for higher taxes and higher financial burden on the local businesses. pic.twitter.com/Gr2dw5tLn0
— Alexander Stoyanov (@Al_Stoyanov) December 1, 2025
“We are here to demonstrate for our future. We want to be a European country, not one governed by corruption and mafia,” said Ventislava Vasileva, a 21-year-old student. Ghiorghi, a 24-year-old bank employee, says he is protesting the “arrogance” of the country's leaders.
Similar demonstrations are taking place in other Bulgarian cities, according to local media.
The Bulgarian government is expected to come up with amendments to the draft budget this week, after promising not to adopt controversial measures such as increases in social security contributions.
With Bulgaria's entry into the euro area on January 1, this budget will be the first to be calculated in euros.
“If the government manages the situation in a rational manner, it should survive this crisis,” said Daniel Smilov, a political scientist and program director at the Center for Liberal Strategies.
VIDEO The neighboring country where the increase in the salaries of budget workers and the increase in taxes brought thousands of people to the streets
He added that the new appointments in the judiciary were long overdue and “necessary to allay concerns about the state's inability to respond to corruption cases”.
Bulgaria is among the most corrupt EU member states, along with Hungary and Romania, according to Transparency International's corruption perception index.
