Announcing the resignation, Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhelyazkov said the ruling coalition had met to assess the political situation and acknowledged that the protests reflected the will of society. He stressed that, under the Constitution, power derives from the people and that the government had listened to citizens demanding its resignation.
Public Pressure and the Voice of Protesters
According to Zhelyazkov, protesters represented a broad cross-section of society, including young and elderly citizens and people from different ethnic backgrounds. Zhelyazkov described the demonstrations as a reaction against perceived arrogance and shortcomings in the implementation of democratic values.
Despite resigning, Zhelyazkov defended his cabinet’s record, highlighting Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone, the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, and what he described as unprecedented revenue growth. He stated that the government’s draft budget aimed to strengthen social protection and increase citizens’ purchasing power, Nova.bg reported.
However, he acknowledged that the first budget prepared in euros for 2026 was either insufficiently communicated or misunderstood, which contributed to public anger and mistrust.
Protests and Parliamentary Deadlock
The resignation follows six votes of no confidence submitted by opposition parties and sustained demonstrations in multiple Bulgarian cities, as well as protests by Bulgarian communities abroad. What initially began as opposition to the euro-denominated budget evolved into broader resentment against the ruling coalition.
Although the government was expected to survive the latest confidence vote, coalition leaders said parliamentary legitimacy had lost its meaning without public support.
Interim Governance and Next Steps
Shortly after the announcement, the Council of Ministers confirmed that Zhelyazkov had formally submitted the cabinet’s resignation. The government will continue to function in a caretaker capacity until a new Council of Ministers is elected by the National Assembly.
Zhelyazkov noted that guarantees regarding Bulgaria’s transition to the euro would be necessary before any further budget decisions, warning that otherwise an extension budget law might be required.
Political Reactions to the Resignation
Coalition Partners’ Responses
Representatives of the party “There Is Such a People” said the coalition had initially chosen compromise over snap elections to ensure stability. They argued that the government achieved historic successes, including eurozone and Schengen integration, but accepted that renewed protests required a political response.
Some coalition figures accused opposition leaders of deliberately provoking chaos and warned that society would bear the consequences of political instability.
Opposition and External Supporters
The “DPS – New Beginning” party, which supported the cabinet, stated that it did not participate in the decision to resign and placed responsibility on other political forces. Its leadership argued that the mandate holder and coalition parties alone made the final call.
GERB leader Boyko Borisov publicly defended the government’s performance but ruled out any cabinet reshuffle. He stated that a resigning government would not proceed with budget discussions and warned that political instability could have economic consequences.
Background of the Zhelyazkov Cabinet
The government of Rosen Zhelyazkov was the 105th cabinet in Bulgaria’s history. It was formed by the 51st National Assembly and took office on January 16, 2025, succeeding the caretaker government led by Dimitar Glavchev.
President Rumen Radev had handed the first mandate to form a government to GERB-SDF on January 15, 2025. Zhelyazkov promptly returned the mandate, presenting a proposed cabinet structure that parliament approved the next day.
The resignation underscores Bulgaria’s ongoing political volatility after years of frequent elections and fragile coalitions. While eurozone accession represents a strategic milestone, public trust in institutions and economic policy remains fragile.
