BUDGET CAUSES PROTEST IN BULGARIA – Thousands rally in Bulgaria against 2026 budget, clash with police
Thousands of people rallied in the Bulgarian capital Sofia and several other cities on Monday, December 1, protesting against the 2026 budget plan, the first drafted in euros before the European Union-member country adopts the common currency on January 1.
Some protesters clashed with police, who cordoned off offices of the ruling parties in Sofia, and pelted officers with rocks, bottles and firecrackers.
On November 28, following similar protests, the minority government of Rosen Zhelyazkov pledged it would resubmit the 2026 spending plan to parliament, aiming to allow more time for consultations with opposition parties, trade unions and employers. A parliamentary committee had adopted the budget plan on a first reading on November 18.
Opposition parties and other organisations say they were protesting against the government’s plans to hike social security contributions and taxes on dividends to finance higher spending, as well as state corruption.
