Sofia, 11 December 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Tens of thousands of people across Bulgaria have demanded the resignation of the pro-Western government in Sofia three weeks before the EU country introduces the euro.

In the capital Sofia, as well as in Plovdiv, the Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas, and numerous other places, mainly young people took to the streets on Wednesday, accusing the government of corruption.

On Thursday, the government faces a vote of no confidence in parliament for the sixth time this year.

The government, which has been in office since mid-January 2025, refuses to resign.

The euro is set to be introduced on January 1.

The wave of protests in Bulgaria began two weeks ago with demonstrations originally against the draft budget for 2026. After riots at the headquarters of the governing parties, the Cabinet withdrew the controversial budget plan.

The protests were called by the opposition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria alliance (PP-DB), which is hostile to the government but also pro-Western.

"Change will only come with the resignation of this government," said PP leader Assen Vassilev.

Government refuses to resign for now

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said, "It is not the time to abandon ship."

However Boyko Borisov, himself a former prime minister and the leader of the strongest party in the coalition government, the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), hinted at a possible resignation of the government after the introduction of the euro next year.

"After January 1, I will talk about resignations, about protests," Borisov said.

The minority Cabinet of conservatives, socialists and populists relies on the support of a fourth party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), in parliament.

DPS party leader Delyan Peevski, who is controversial within the opposition, has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain for corruption.

Photo: BTA