In a dramatic political upheaval, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov tendered his administration’s resignation on Wednesday night, bowing to intense public pressure from tens of thousands of citizens who flooded streets nationwide. The collapse of the minority centre-right cabinet, which had held power for only six months, plunges the Balkan nation into a fresh political crisis mere weeks before its scheduled accession to the eurozone.
The government’s downfall was precipitated by one of the largest protest mobilizations in recent years. An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 demonstrators converged in the capital, Sofia, with parallel rallies in other urban centres. At the heart of the protests was a vehement demand for an end to perceived systemic graft, with particular ire directed at two powerful figures: oligarch Delyan Peevski, whose political party provided crucial parliamentary support for the government, and former long-serving premier Boyko Borissov. Peevski, sanctioned by both the United States and the United Kingdom for alleged corruption, has become a symbol of the murky nexus between politics and business that protesters seek to dismantle.
The visual symbolism of the protests was stark. Projections reading "Resignation" and "Mafia Out" illuminated the façade of the National Assembly building, while crowds gathered at symbolic locations like the Triangle of Power and Independence Square, chanting the slogan "Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power." This civic outcry followed a series of earlier demonstrations that had already forced the cabinet to abandon a contentious budgetary proposal. Despite having weathered five parliamentary no-confidence motions, the government faced an imminent sixth vote, rendered moot by the premier’s sudden announcement.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov acknowledged the public discontent. "We hear the voice of citizens protesting against the government," he stated, adding that "both young and old have raised their voices for [our resignation]. This civic energy must be supported and encouraged." His decision followed a direct call from President Rumen Radev for the cabinet to step down, underscoring the depth of the political isolation it faced.
The immediate consequence is the formation of a caretaker administration, with current ministers remaining in a provisional capacity until a new government can be constituted. This period of instability arrives at a critically sensitive juncture, with Bulgaria poised to adopt the euro as its currency in just twenty days. Analysts suggest the turmoil could complicate the final technical and communicative preparations for the historic monetary transition, though officials have previously asserted that the changeover plan remains on track.
The resignation underscores a persistent and deeply entrenched struggle in Bulgarian society between a public demanding accountability and transparent governance and political structures long accused of being captive to oligarchic interests. The coming weeks will test the nation’s political resilience as it navigates the dual challenges of forming a viable government and securing its path into the core of the European monetary union.