site.btaGERB Chair Borissov to "Speak on Resignations" After Jan. 1, Calls Euro Area Accession "Bulgaria’s Geostrategic Task Ahead of No-Confidence Motion"

Commenting on the upcoming no-confidence motion against the government, GERB-UDF Floor Leader and GERB Chair Boyko Borissov told reporters on Thursday that Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area is a geostrategic task that he wants to see through to the end. He said he had informed all partners of this position in recent days and added that the ruling coalition would remain consolidated in the coming period, not out of stubbornness, but to ensure the country’s accession to the euro area.

On Wednesday, Bulgaria’s National Assembly is set to debate a draft decision on a motion of no confidence against the Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, over what the opposition describes as the government’s failure in economic policy that has triggered some of the largest protests in the country. On December 1, crowds of tens of thousands filled downtown Sofia. Large-scale demonstrations were held in the capital and most regional centres against the draft 2026 State Budget Act. The rallies were organized by the opposition Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition following Borissov’s refusal to withdraw the already tabled budget bill. Another protest organized by CC-DB under the slogan “Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power” is set to take place in Sofia on December 10, starting at 6 p.m. Protests are also expected in other major cities across the country.

Borissov stressed that the GERB-UDF coalition joined the government specifically to steer Bulgaria toward eurozone membership and said he would not allow anything that could compromise that goal before every Bulgarian is able to withdraw money from an ATM in euros. He described the country as being “20 metres from the finish line”, referring to January 1, 2026, as the target date, and said he would speak about resignations and protests only after that.

The GERB leader spoke about recent achievements, including Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen and the renegotiation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, stressing that these steps are part of the broader path toward eurozone membership. He added that the current complex geopolitical environment must also be taken into account.

Borissov said that over the years he has always listened to the voice of protesting citizens and noted that he had heard the public discontent over the draft 2026 state budget, which he said had therefore been revised. In his words, the revised draft budget is a good one.