Tens of thousands of people protested yesterday in Sofia against the government, marking the strengthening of the anti-corruption movement in the poorest country in the European Union, reports the French newspaper “Le Monde” (Le Monde), writes BTA in its press review.
The publication adds that clashes with the police broke out at the end of the rally after demonstrators “attacked the headquarters of the political formation MRF, which supports the government, and an office of the ruling GERB party.”
“Last week, Bulgarians already took to the streets of the capital to protest against the draft budget, which provides for an increase in salaries in the public sector and an increase in taxes”, adds “Monde”.
In the context of distrust in institutions, critics of the text believe that public finances are so corrupt that these measures will only increase corruption, the newspaper notes.
“During yesterday's protest, the largest in years, demonstrators gathered in the square in front of parliament, waving placards and calling for a change of government, chanting "Mafia!" or "Resign!", the publication wrote.
“Le Monde” also cites the publication of President Rumen Radev, who called for an end to the violence and demanded that the government resign.
The French newspaper explains that the government is to propose amendments to the draft budget this week, after promising not to accept controversial points, such as the increase in social security contributions.
With Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone on January 1, this budget will be the first calculated in euros, the publication notes.
“The country is among the most corrupt EU member states, along with Hungary and Romania”, reports “Monde”, referring to the corruption perception index of the organization “Transparency Without Borders” (Transparency International).
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Bulgaria to protest against corruption and the government, German television station Zet DF reported.
The media outlet notes that the protests began last Wednesday and are against the draft budget for 2026, which protesters say covers up widespread corruption in the country.
Zet DF emphasizes that on January 1, Bulgaria will join the eurozone.
“According to surveys, about half of Bulgarians reject the common European currency due to fears of rising prices”, the television station reported.
The protesters want the government to keep its promise to withdraw the budget for 2026, which provides for higher taxes on dividends and an increase in social security contributions, another German media outlet added – “Deutsche Welle”.
“They are also dissatisfied with corruption in the public sector and are calling for the resignation of the minority coalition government of Rosen Zhelyazkov”, the publication writes.
“Bulgaria, with a population of 6.4 million people, is one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union”, notes “Deutsche Welle”.
“Some protesters clashed with police, who surrounded the offices of the ruling parties in Sofia, and threw stones, bottles and fireworks at the officers”, Reuters reported.
On November 28, after similar protests, Rosen Zhelyazkov's minority government promised to re-present the 2026 spending plan to parliament, in order to gave more time for consultations with opposition parties, unions and employers, the agency added.
About half of Bulgarians oppose adopting the euro, fearing that it would violate the country's sovereignty and that retailers would take advantage of the switch from the national currency, the lev, to the euro to raise prices, Reuters explains.