Fri Dec 12 11:34:13 UTC 2025: Headline: Bulgarian Government Collapses Amidst Mass Anti-Corruption Protests Ahead of Eurozone Entry

Sofia, Bulgaria – December 12, 2025 – Bulgaria’s government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, has resigned following weeks of nationwide protests fueled by anger over corruption and economic anxieties. Parliament formally accepted the resignation today, throwing the country into political turmoil just weeks before its scheduled adoption of the Euro on January 1, 2026.

Tens of thousands of Bulgarians, many of them young, took to the streets in recent weeks to voice their discontent with proposed tax increases and a perceived lack of justice within the country. The underlying issue, however, was a deep-seated frustration with widespread corruption among the political elite.

Zhelyazkov announced his resignation on Thursday, citing the overwhelming public pressure. “Vox populi, vox Dei,” he stated, acknowledging the power of the people’s voice.

The resignation marks the fall of the ninth government in Bulgaria in the past five years, highlighting the nation’s ongoing political instability. The 240-seat parliament voted 127-0 to accept the resignation. The current cabinet will remain in place until a new government is formed.

The next step lies with President Rumen Radev, who must now give the largest party in parliament the first opportunity to form a new government. If that attempt fails, the second-largest party will get a chance, followed by the President choosing a candidate. Should all attempts fail, which analysts predict is likely, Radev will appoint a caretaker government and call for new elections. This would be Bulgaria’s eighth election since 2021, raising concerns about continued fragmentation and difficulty in forming a stable government.

Bulgaria, a nation of 6.4 million, is scheduled to replace its national currency, the lev, with the Euro on January 1st, becoming the 21st member of the Eurozone. This political crisis could complicate the transition process. Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007.

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