I strongly hope that this budget that is detrimental to the country will be withdrawn and completely revised, said Assen Vassilev from “Continuing the Change - Democratic Bulgaria“ (PP-DB) to journalists during the protest against the 2026 budget, BTA reports. If the government and the majority decide not to withdraw this budget, they have no right to govern Bulgaria anymore, he added.
Vassilev addressed the protesting citizens and said that they will not give up until the budget plan is withdrawn and revised. Ivaylo Mirchev from the PP-DB said that the budget cannot be adopted in this version, noting that they had given their proposals months ago.
He called on citizens to join the protests and added that “we must liberate our country“.
Mirchev explained the reasons for the protest. “We are protesting because the Bulgarians have realized that Peevski is stealing from them. People understood it and now they are here not only because of the budget, but because they are stealing from them“, said Mirchev.
Bozhidar Bozanov from PP-DB added that “Peevski can no longer usurp power“.
Earlier, citizens began to gather in front of the Council of Ministers to protest against the 2026 budget.
Last week, there was another protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget, which filled the square between the buildings of the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers and the presidency. The next morning, GERB Chairman Boyko Borissov announced that he had told the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to withdraw the budget. Later, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that an attempt would be made to restore dialogue with unions and employers, and on Friday, Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said that a new meeting with social partners was coming up.
On Friday, Boyko Borisov outlined three options for the future of the budget. After the budget was not withdrawn, an argument broke out on the sidelines of parliament between Boyko Borisov, the chairman of “We Continue the Change“ Assen Vassilev, and the co-chairman of “Yes, Bulgaria“ Ivaylo Mirchev, and Asen Vassilev stated that there will be a new protest.
Earlier today, the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs announced that before, during and after the protest tonight in the center of Sofia, police officers will monitor the preservation of public order and the prevention of incidents on the territory of the city.
There are also protests in other cities in the country.