Overview
- Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told parliament his GERB-led minority coalition was stepping down just before an opposition no-confidence vote.
- Nationwide demonstrations grew to more than 100,000 people, remained peaceful, and focused on corruption and the influence of sanctioned oligarch Delyan Peevski.
- The latest unrest followed a withdrawn 2026 budget drafted in euros that proposed higher taxes and social contributions.
- Bulgaria is still scheduled to adopt the euro on January 1, according to officials and recent reporting.
- President Rumen Radev is expected to consult parties on forming a cabinet and could appoint a caretaker ahead of possible early elections in a politically volatile landscape.