Thousands go out on protest in Sofia and major cities across Bulgaria

A mass protest against the adoption of the 2026 draft state budget, proposed by the ruling coalition and approved at first reading in Parliament, brought thousands of Bulgarians to the squares of Sofia and many major cities for a second large-scale protest. The demonstration was organized by We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) and supported by other opposition groups.

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Its aim was to remind the government that society expects the financial framework of the state to be thoroughly revised following dialogue with social partners - employers and trade unions - and to ensure a fair distribution of public resources that reflects the expectations of businesses and citizens, while avoiding wage inequalities and the privileging of certain structures in the public sector.

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“We won’t let them fool us” was the motto of this second wave of mass protests against the government's budget policy, held in Sofia and in regional cities including Plovdiv, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Lovech, Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Pleven and others.

The large crowd gathered in the “triangle of power” in central Sofia demanded changes to next year’s budget and a real fight against corruption in Bulgaria. In some parts of the city, tensions escalated: trash containers were set on fire, firecrackers were thrown, a police van was damaged, there were exchanges between protesters and police, and power outages occurred in several areas.

“The protest ended peacefully, after which a march headed toward the headquarters of GERB and DPS, where provocateurs appeared,” commented the leader of "We Continue the Change" Asen Vassilev, who also called for the resignation of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov.

For nearly three hours, citizens in Plovdiv - the second largest city - marched through the central streets chanting “Resignation,” “Mafia,” and “Peevski out.” The protest remained peaceful and was secured by hundreds of police officers, BNR correspondent Kremena Daneva reported.

A large protest also took place in Veliko Tarnovo, drawing many young people and families. A young mother who came with her baby said she joined because she does not approve of the budget and of those governing the country. “It’s time to strike back and show that this civil society will hold accountable the politicians who steal and abuse our state and our public funds,” a young man told BNR reporter Zdravka Maslyankova.

In the seaside capital Varna, thousands gathered for a protest march in front of City Hall. Demonstrators greeted Mayor Blagomir Kotsev - who was released two days ago after 142 days in custody on corruption charges - with bread as a symbolic welcome.

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The crowd chanted “Blago” and “Freedom,” demanding the government's resignation and a revision of the national budget. “In recent years there has been an assault on democracy—it's time to reclaim it,” Kotsev told the protesters, adding that if not for the protests in Varna, Sofia, and other cities, he would not be free today, BNR Varna reporters said.

Protest actions took place in other cities across Bulgaria as well, with citizens declaring that the rallies will continue until the government withdraws the 2026 state budget.

Edited by Elena Karkalanova
English version: Rositsa Petkova