site.btaAfter Protests, GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Hopes Government will Reach Agreement with Employers, Unions in Budget-Change Talks

Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) leader Roumen Hristov, who is also GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader, said Monday's protests drew "quite a few people" and the government is fully aware of what is happening. Tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets in Sofia and regional centres across Bulgaria to protest against the proposals in the 2026 State Budget Bill. The protests were organized by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB).

Interviewed by the Bulgarian National Television, Hristov said the government took note of the protest held on November 26, which called for a revision of the budget proposal. Prompted by criticisms from employers and trade unions, the government agreed to make changes. "Hopefully, the dialogue with them will continue at Tuesday's meeting and we will reach agreement," he said.

It was expected the opposition's demands would escalate, the UDF leader said. The opposition is entitled to hold protests, what matters is that they should have been peaceful, he added.

"The opposition's impatience and attempts to clear the way for [President] Rumen Radev are what is pushing so many people onto the streets," Hristov said. In his view, if early elections are held, Radev will enter the political stage.

President Radev and opposition parties Vazrazhdane and MECh have already called for early elections.

Reacting to calls on Interior Minister Daniel Mitov to resign, Hristov said GERB-UDF would not demand his resignation: "We stand behind Mitov, he is our nominee, deputy chairman of GERB and a respected colleague."

On Monday night, CC co-chair Assen Vassilev and CC-DB MP Ivaylo Mirchev called on the Interior Minister to resign, saying that he had allowed police officers to be assaulted during a peaceful protest and march.