Bulgaria’s government has resigned following weeks of street protests over economic policies and allegations of corruption. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the decision in a televised address just minutes before parliament was scheduled to vote on a no-confidence motion.
Why were people protesting in Bulgaria?
The reaction on the streets of Sofia was muted after the resignation, though some expressed quiet optimism that the government had listened to the protesters. Thousands of Bulgarians rallied in Sofia and other cities earlier this week, demonstrating public anger over perceived government corruption.
“We realise that the protest was against arrogance and conceit, this is not a social protest, but a protest for values,”
the outgoing prime minister said.
The protests were fueled by a proposed budget that included increases in social security contributions and taxes on dividends to fund higher state spending. Some of that spending was allocated to police, security services, and the judiciary – bodies many Bulgarians distrust. The budget was later withdrawn, but public anger persisted.
The protesters are largely young Bulgarians who are upset with the corruption within the government. (Reuters: Spasiyana Sergieva)
Many protesters are younger, urban professionals who support Bulgaria’s accession to the euro zone and want closer ties with Europe. Bulgaria is the poorest member state in the European Union, having joined in 2007. Concerns were also raised over the jailing of Blagomir Kotsev, mayor of Varna, on corruption allegations that he denies.
Will there be more elections?
Analysts suggest the protests could lead to change. “People realise that their will, when they express it, matters,” said Vessela Tcherneva, deputy director at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Sofia.
“Whoever the next government is will be more aware and will need to be more accountable.”
President Rumen Radev will now ask the largest party in parliament, GERB, to form a new government. If GERB fails, or declines, two other parties will be given the opportunity. If they also fail, President Radev will appoint an interim government and call a snap election, potentially leading to a cycle of repeated polls.
Bulgarians remain split over the euro zone, polls show. (Reuters: Stoyan Nenov)
Polls show Bulgarians are divided over the euro, with some concern that retailers may raise prices during the conversion. Asen Vassilev, leader of the opposition Continue the Change — Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) said this is “the first step towards Bulgaria becoming a normal European country” and called for fair and free elections.
ABC/Reuters
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