2025 Bulgarian budget protests – Wikipedia

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Protests in Bulgaria in 2025

The 2025 Bulgarian budget protests are a series of protests that started on 26 November 2025 following the announcement of the 2026 budget which would have risen the individual contributions to pension and social-security programs, with the result of increased taxes. The protests led to the suspension and later withdrawal of the budget, but protests continued demanding the resignation of the government and new elections. The protest has been labelled as a Gen Z protest by multiple sources.

According to Transparency International, Bulgaria, in 2025, was ranked as the 2nd most corrupt government in Europe,[1][2] as well as the poorest and most corrupt in the European Union.[1][3][4]

This corruption causes discontent in the population,[5] with various protests breaking out due to it in the past, such as the 2020–2021 Bulgarian protests.[6]

Corruption was also stated as one of the reasons for the 2025 protests,[2] with the topic being discussed extensively on social media. Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and DPS leader Delyan Peevski were specifically targeted by the protests for their alleged involvement in corruption.[7]

Conditions of doctors in Bulgaria

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The protesters argued that the healthcare system was overlooked, underfunded and pushed young and experienced doctors to migrate to other countries.[7]

This is part of a phenomenon that has been observed for decades,[8][9] with 350 to 400 doctors leaving the country every year according to data from 2020.[10]

2026 Budget proposal

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The 2026 Budget proposal sparked the current protests,[2][4] and was criticized as the “worst budget in the last 30 years” by employer organizations.[7] The protesters argued that the budget would have increased the individual contributions to pension and social-security programs, resulting in increased taxes.[1]

The first protest took place on 26 November 2025, when a crowd of protesters gathered in Sofia, being organized by We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria. The protest drew around 20,000 people.[11] It resulted in an initial success, as the government withdrew the budget one day after the protests, promising to open talks with employers and trade unions.[12]

However, just a few days later, the decision was reversed, causing outrage especially on social media and amongst young people within Generation Z.[7]

On 1 December 2025, over 50,000 up to possibly 100,000 people showed up in a protest organized by various Generation Z groups, with the support of We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria.[4][7][13] The protest was heavily promoted through the use of social media (such as TikTok and Instagram) and by high-profile singers, actors and influencers, with Generation Z taking a leading role within the protests.[7][14] The protest was dominated by people from Gen Z,[15] who made up most of the people that showed up.[7] The protest initially started as peaceful, however, it turned violent with dumpsters set alight, vandalised police vehicles, and attacks on GERB, There is Such a People and DPS offices.[14][15][16] However, organizers claimed that those who rioted violently were not part of the protests but were allegedly sent by the government,[15] with alleged targeted and manipulated news reportage being booed by the protesters on ground.[14] At least 71 people were arrested,[17] and 3 officers were injured.[18] On the same day, a counter protest took place in Stara Zagora against the Recovery and Sustainability Plan proposed by We continue the change – Democratic Bulgaria.[19]

After the protests the budget proposal was once again withdrawn, however, calls for the government to step down continued.[13][20][21]

Despite this, on 3 December 2025 protests against the government took place in Ruse, Pazardzhik, Sliven, Burgas, Varna, Montana, Veliko Tarnovo, Razgrad, Vidin, Blagoevgrad, Shumen, Yambol and Sofia, asking the leading coalition to step down and a decisive action against corruption.[22] On the same day, plans ahead for an organized protest on 4 December 2025 were already scheduled under the name of “Government Resignation” and promoted as well as organized by someone known as Marian Ivanov on Facebook.[23][24] Rumen Radev also directly suggested that the government should have resigned, and called for a snap election to be held.[25]

On 5 December 2025, 61 MPs from the opposition in the National Assembly filed a vote of no confidence against the Bulgarian government, blaming them for alleged corruption and their failure to persue economic policies. Two Gen-Zers who participated in the protests, named Ani Bodakova and Kaloyan Vasev, were also present and were involved in the process as symbols of their generation.[26] The opposition also threatened to organize an even bigger protest if the government still decided to not step down by the following week.[27]

On 10 December 2025, during ongoing debates for the sixth vote of no confidence, massive protests involving thousands of people popped up across Bulgaria, with 100 policemen being deployed in Sofia alone. Students from various Bulgarian universities announced the start of the “Student protest march”, gathering and joining the protest en-masse. Gen Z continued to play an important role in the protest.[28][29][30] At least 30 people were arrested in Sofia.[28] On the same day, a significant protest also took place in Vienna, Austria, organized by the Bulgarian diaspora in Austria and in coordination with the bulgarian ones.[31]

During the protests, the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger was used a symbol,[32] similarly to other Gen Z protests around the world.[33] Other symbols that appeared on sign held by the people within the protests included the letter “Д” crossed out and also the letter “Б”.[34]

Analysis & Political implications

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The main political force that behind the protests has been identified as “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” coalition. Constituent parties within the organisation, such as Yes, Bulgaria!, endorsed the protests.[35]

The protest has been notable for attracting support from a wide range of political parties, unlike previous waves of anti-government action. [36] For example, far-right and nationalist groups supported the protests.[37][38][39] Additionally, Turkish minority interests party, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms similarly expressed support for them.[40]

  1. ^ Endorsed PP-DB led protests, but further organised independently
  1. ^ a b c “Corruption Perceptions Index 2024”. Transparency.org. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  2. ^ a b c Furlong, Ray (2025-12-03). “What’s Fueling Bulgaria’s Biggest Protests In Decades?”. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  3. ^ “GDP per capita, consumption per capita and price level indices”. ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  4. ^ a b c Quillen, Stephen (2 December 2025). “Bulgarian government pulls budget amid fierce protests”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  5. ^ Rankin, Jennifer (2017-12-28). “Cloud of corruption hangs over Bulgaria as it takes up EU presidency”. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  6. ^ staff, The Sofia Globe (2018-04-21). “US State Dept criticises Bulgaria on prisons, judiciary, corruption, people-trafficking and violence against minorities”. The Sofia Globe. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Datev, Alexander (3 December 2025). “Bulgaria protests: ‘Gen Z won’t stay silent!’“. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  8. ^ “EU migration: Bulgaria’s departing doctors”. BBC News. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  9. ^ Linkova, Iliyana; Rohova, Maria (2025-10-28). “Understanding Health Professionals’ Migration in Bulgaria: Driving and Retention Factors Among Physicians and Nurses”. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 13 (21): 2723. doi:10.3390/healthcare13212723. ISSN 2227-9032. PMC 12609097. PMID 41228090.
  10. ^ Petkova, Mariya (18 March 2020). “Dozens of Bulgarian doctors resign amid COVID-19 crisis”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  11. ^ “Thousands protest in Bulgaria before budget with steep tax increases gets final approval”. abc news. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  12. ^ De Ruiter, Emma (27 November 2025). “Bulgarian government withdraws 2026 budget draft after mass protests”. Euro News. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  13. ^ a b “Bulgarian government withdraws budget proposal after largest protests in a decade”. POLITICO. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  14. ^ a b c Todorov, Svetoslav (2025-12-02). “Major Anti-Government Protests Erupt Across Bulgaria”. Balkan Insight. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  15. ^ a b c Fouda, Malek (2 December 2025). “Bulgaria’s government fully withdraws controversial budget plan after latest protests”. Euro News.
  16. ^ Pioneer, The. “Bulgaria’s Government withdraws controversial budget after protests”. The Pioneer. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  17. ^ “Over 70 detained in Bulgaria for resisting police and violence”. TASS. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  18. ^ “Prosecution Charges 14 People with Hooliganism after Monday Night Protests”. www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  19. ^ Atasanova, Maria (1 December 2025). “В Стара Загора се провеждат протест и контрапротест”. fakti. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  20. ^ “Press Review – Mass protests in Bulgaria: Gen Z gets organised online, turns away from state TV”. France 24. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  21. ^ “GenZ protests erupt in Bulgaria: What’s behind the mass anti-government stir?”. The Financial Express. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  22. ^ “Протестите с искане за оставка на правителството продължават”. obektivno. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  23. ^ “Вълната от недоволство не стихва в Бургас! Нов протест срещу правителството утре” (in Bulgarian). 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  24. ^ Ivanov, Mariyan (3 December 2025). “България се събуди! Недоволството, трупано с години срещу корупцията, ниския стандарт на живот, кражбата на нашите пари и облагодетелстването на една група хора, вече избухна по улиците на страната. Време е това правителство да си ходи и да спрем корупцията, която ни убива. Време е да кажем, че ни писна! Елате всички, без значение към коя партия симпатизирате или дали сте отвратени от политиката. Нека се обединим без идеологически пристрастия, а с една цел – по-добро бъдеще за България – за нас, за нашите деца, за нашите родители! Елате в четвъртък (04.12), от 18 ч., пред сградата на Община Бургас”. Facebook (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  25. ^ “Bulgaria’s president calls on government to resign”. Reuters. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  26. ^ “Bulgaria’s Opposition Files No-Confidence Motion and Demands Government Resignation”. Novinite. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  27. ^ “Свикват протест следващата седмица, ако правителството не подаде оставка”. Petel (in Bulgarian). 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  28. ^ a b “НА ЖИВО: Протестите срещу властта. Хиляди се събраха на площад „Независимост”“. Novinite. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  29. ^ “Anti-government protests in Sofia and other major cities across Bulgaria”. Bulgarian News Agency. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  30. ^ “Protest under the slogan “Resignation! Peevski and Borisov out of power” began in Sliven”. Utroruse. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  31. ^ “Протести срещу правителството с провеждат не само в България. Стотици…” Novini. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  32. ^ RFE/RL. “Protests Erupt In Bulgaria Over Budget, Government ‘Corruption’“. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  33. ^ Harvey, Lex (20 September 2025). “Gen Z protesters are uniting behind a manga pirate flag”. CNN World. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  34. ^ ““Станаха прекалено нагли с краденето”. Какво изкара хората на протест”. Свободна Европа (in Bulgarian). 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  35. ^ ““Да, България” потвърди подкрепата си за протестите и дава старт на подготовката за президентски и местни избори” (in Bulgarian). 2025-11-30. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  36. ^ “Психология на протеста: Какво обедини хората, излезли по площадите”. Nova.bg (in Bulgarian). 2025-12-08. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  37. ^ “Протестиращи се събраха в Триъгълника на властта! (ОБЗОР)”. Telegraph.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  38. ^ “Protests in Regional Centres Call for Government Resignation”. www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  39. ^ “Бунтът срещу бюджета: Нова вълна от протести, този път и извън София”. bTV Новините (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  40. ^ “АПС подкрепя протестите”. Novinata.bg (in Bulgarian). 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2025-12-04.


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