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Bulgaria’s government announced on Tuesday that it is withdrawing its controversial budget plan after nationwide protests drew tens of thousands of people — the largest demonstrations the country has seen in decades.
An estimated 50,000 people took part in a rally in Sofia on Monday night, with organisers saying that another 50,000 joined demonstrations in other major cities.
Protesters opposed the budget proposal, which sought to steeply increase taxes and social security contributions, and said it would mainly affect ordinary workers.
It comes as Bulgaria enters its final preparatory stages ahead of entering the Eurozone in 2026. The country is set to transition from the lev to the euro on 1 January.
The protest was organised by the country’ main opposition coalition, between the We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria parties, and came in response to what they called failed pledges and empty promises on the government’s part.
Last week, following immense domestic pressure and a night of major protests, the minority government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov had vowed to withdraw the budget proposal for revision, only to later reverse course and rescind that decision.
Former prime minister and GERB leader Boyko Borissov had announced that the draft would be amended and submitted to parliament by the first or second parliamentary session — a decision that helped trigger the mass mobilisation on Monday.
Protesters chanted “resignation” as they demanded that the incumbent coalition revise the draft or step down immediately.
They also called for the prosecution of prominent lawmakers, including Borissov and Delyan Peevski, who leads the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party. The DPS has been a key backer of GERB’s coalition in parliament.
The protest in Sofia on Monday night, dominated by young people, began peacefully across the city’s main avenues and squares, including outside the National Assembly.
Tensions rose later in the evening when a small group of masked individuals broke away from the main crowd and began setting dumpsters alight, vandalising police vehicles, and attacking GERB and DPS offices.
Clashes erupted between police officers and youths dressed in black hoodies and masks, while garbage containers were burned and police vehicles were vandalised. Police in full riot gear pepper-sprayed protesters.
Footage showed masked men throwing chairs, bottles, firecrackers and stones, smashing windows and clashing with police.
Protesters say those who incited violence were not part of the rallies, claiming that they were hired by the government in a bid to undermine and detract from the protest.
Around half of Bulgarians oppose adopting the euro, fearing it would infringe on the country’s sovereignty. They also worry that the currency changeover from the lev to the euro will lead retailers to exploit it to hike prices.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned this month that inflation in Bulgaria is expected to rise when the country joins the eurozone, but stressed that the effect should be temporary.
Additional sources • AP