2025–2026 Bulgarian protests

Common card · No. 228290

Protests began in Bulgaria on 26 November 2025 after the Zhelyazkov government announced a 2026 budget plan that would have increased taxes—specifically, the amounts individuals were to contribute to pension and social-security programs. The government suspended, then withdrew the budget, but demonstrations continued, with protestors demanding the resignation of the government and new elections. The protests were identified as "Gen Z protests" by multiple sources. Many university students in the capital of Sofia joined the mass protest. On 2 December, an estimated 50,000 people took part in a rally in Sofia, while demonstrations in other major cities drew another 50,000, organisers said. The Bulgarian media gave similar estimates, citing drone imagery. The estimates suggest that about 1.55% of the country's population participated. On 11 December 2025, the Zhelyazkov government resigned, acknowledging "the voice of the people". "Our desire is to rise to the level of what society expects...

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