Yesterday's demonstration in Sofia was the largest in years, with people chanting “Mafia“ and “Resignation“ and demanded a change of government, the Austrian radio and television reported, citing information from Reuters and AFP agencies, supported by video footage from the event, BTA reported.
Since Wednesday, people in Sofia have been protesting against the draft budget for 2026, the information says, which they believe covers up widespread corruption in the country, adding that according to media reports, demonstrations also took place in other cities of the EU member state on Monday.
Bulgaria will join the eurozone on January 1, 2026. Thus, the new budget is the first to be calculated in euros, ORF explains and continues: After the main demonstration ended, clashes broke out with the police. Some demonstrators, who had hidden their faces, attacked the headquarters of the MRF party, which supports the government, with stones and bottles. They also threw fireworks at the police. Police used tear gas.
AFP reporters observed several arrests. A nearby office of the ruling conservative GERB party was also ransacked. In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania rank last, with the strongest perceptions of corruption, among EU countries, ORF concludes.