2025–2026 Bulgarian protests

Protests began in Bulgaria on 26 November 2025 after the Zhelyazkov government announced a 2026 budget plan that would have increased taxes—specifically, the amounts individuals were to contribute to pension and social-security programs. The government suspended, then withdrew the budget, but demonstrations continued, with protestors demanding the resignation of the government and new elections. The protests were identified as "Gen Z protests" by multiple sources.

Many university students in the capital of Sofia joined the mass protest. On 2 December, an estimated 50,000 people took part in a rally in Sofia, while demonstrations in other major cities drew another 50,000, organisers said. The Bulgarian media gave similar estimates, citing drone imagery. The estimates suggest that about 1.55% of the country's population participated.

On 11 December 2025, the Zhelyazkov government resigned, acknowledging "the voice of the people". "Our desire is to rise to the level of what society expects," Zhelyazkov said to reporters in Parliament in the capital, Sofia. "We have heard the voice of the people who have been protesting. We need to meet their demands, and what they are demanding at the moment is the resignation of the government."

Scale and significance of demonstration: Organizers and media reports estimated that tens of thousands people participated in the December protests, with some rallies drawing large crowds in Sofia and other cities. The demonstrations have been described as among the most significant public mobilizations in Bulgaria in years, reflecting deep public discontent with political corruption and governance.