site.btaUPDATED PM Zhelyazkov Describes Protests as Being of Social and Human Nature, Says Cabinet Can't Step Down at Eurozone's Doorstep

The protests against the 2026 [draft State] budget are of a social and human nature and are an expression of the demand for more rights, democracy, and justice, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov here on Tuesday after the meeting of the Joint Governance Council in connection with Monday's large-scale nationwide protests against the draft budget for next year.

"One of the reasons the budget was withdrawn is this. I myself protested in 1990 and 1996, and I support those people who are protesting for more rights, more democracy, more justice," he added. Zhelyazkov noted that the demonstrations are not political, but aim for more dialogue, tolerance, and harmony in society, with the participation of young people being particularly visible.

"Without a budget just weeks before Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, we do not have the right to abdicate. We will be the last to abdicate, but that does not mean we are stubborn - the way we show this is by acknowledging the mistake and withdrawing the budget," the Prime Minister said.

In response to a journalist's question about the calls for his resignation and the replacement of the Interior Minister following clashes with the police in Sofia during Monday's protests, he said: "All options exist, because these are political decisions, but we do not have the right to abdicate at the eurozone's doorstep". The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is ready to take part in a debate on any proposed no-confidence vote related to the budget, with a focus also on values - namely, where Bulgaria is heading after January 1, 2026.

"There were mistakes by the organizers - the protest was supposed to be a rally, the Sofia Municipality had not approved a march. Regardless of this, the police reacted very adequately and did not allow the organizers' intent for this act of vandalism to take place," Zhelyazkov added, praising the coordinated and careful actions of the law enforcement officers. 

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said earlier in the day that the Government will do everything necessary for a consensus on the 2026 state budget. He was speaking at a news briefing after a meeting of the Joint Governance Council.

“We had a serious political talk with the colleagues from the coalition, but warned that if Bulgaria starts the year with the 2025 budget, many social commitments could not be met. He stressed that every effort will be made to pass a 2026 state budget by the end of the year. 

 Zhelyazkov listed a series of changes made, including a review of the capital programme in the fields of defence and transport, and all resources for municipalities will be kept. He did not rule out the possibility of extending the 2025 state budget.

The new budget procedure will take the time necessary to review all proposals submitted by social partners and political parties, including the opposition. Despite the year-end time pressure, Zhelyazkov emphasized that this is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the state, especially in the months ahead when measures for the smooth introduction of the euro need to be considered.

Zhelyazkov assured that the voices of employers and trade unions will be taken into account to protect the social and economic rights of all Bulgarian citizens. He admitted that the Gvernment had made a tactical mistake by not engaging earlier with social partners, which allowed speculation over revenue and expenditure to overshadow the achievements of the Government and society this year.

The Prime Minister announced that the automatic increase of public sector salaries will be removed, citing disproportionate growth in recent years. Discussions will also cover an increase in dividend tax and pension contributions. He promised that talks at the Ministry of Finance in a tripartite format will be public to ensure all arguments are heard.

Zhelyazkov also said the Government will cancel the proposed concession of the national Sports Totalizator lottery and the state guarantees under the Bulgarian Development Bank Act for a potential acquisition of Lukoil, among other measures that could have led to speculation or misunderstanding of state actions. Additional measures to balance the macro framework will also be reviewed.

“Political dialogue will not stop here,” Zhelyazkov added, calling on society to act wisely and enter 2026 calmly. "We must maintain the trust of a large part of the Bulgarian people and uphold it, including through the compromises we are ready to make," he said.

Responding to a question about the absence of representatives from the MRF-New Beginning party at the briefing, Zhelyazkov said: "We are a three-party coalition, a minority coalition from the start, and we receive support for the Government’s policies aimed at securing Bulgaria’s European future."

The Joint Governance Council of the formations in the ruling majority held a meeting on Tuesday, hours after Council of Ministers withdrew the 2026 State Budget Bill, National Health Insurance Fund Budget Bill, and the Public Social Insurance Budget Bill. 

On Monday evening, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets in Sofia and major regional centres across Bulgaria to protest the adoption of the 2026 State Budget Bill. Protests were held in Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Lovech, Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, Blagoevgrad, Sliven, Shumen and Yambol. Protesters in Sofia were heard chanting "Resignation!", apparently calling on the government to resign.