FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Bulgaria is experiencing another night of widespread and tense protests, with thousands of citizens gathering in Sofia and dozens of other cities across the country, in a wave of anger at the minority government and allegations of widespread corruption at all levels of the state.
The latest protests are the culmination of a wave of ongoing demonstrations in a country that has faced deep political and social instability in recent years. They come at a delicate moment as Bulgaria prepares to join the eurozone on January 1, replacing the Bulgarian lev with the European currency.
In the center of the Bulgarian capital, demonstrators used lasers to project political slogans onto the facade of the Parliament, demanding the resignation of the government, fair elections and the removal of mafia structures from power. The popular revolt has been fueled by a deep sense of frustration with the political elite, which is seen as captured by the oligarchy and incapable of implementing deep and necessary reforms, especially in the justice system.
The crisis has centered around the government of Prime Minister Rosen Zheleznikov, which is expected to face another vote of no confidence, its sixth since taking power in January of this year. Disagreements between political forces, institutional deadlock, and lack of consensus have produced a tense situation that has led to ongoing and increasingly large-scale protests.
One of the latest triggers for the escalation was the initial plan for the 2026 budget – the first to be drafted and implemented in euros. This project envisaged increases in social security contributions and taxes on profits, which were strongly opposed by opposition parties, civil society and unions. Faced with great pressure, the government withdrew from the plan, but the withdrawal was not enough to stop the anger.
Behind these developments lies a painful truth for Bulgarian society: despite economic growth, the country remains the poorest in the European Union and one of the most corrupt according to international estimates. Seven general elections have been held in the last four years – an unimaginable record for an EU member state – without being able to produce long-term political stability.
Meanwhile, within the governing majority itself, voices are divided. Some actors within the coalition call for resistance until the monetary transition with the European Union is completed, while the opposition has made it clear that joining the eurozone cannot be used as an excuse to postpone accountability and change.
Wednesday's protests are largely organized by reformist forces and new political actors, who demand a complete break from the old model of governance and the liberation of institutions from the influence of narrow economic and political interests.
Despite mounting pressure and popular anger, the signals so far show that the government has no intention of resigning before the historic date of eurozone membership. But the street is speaking with an ever louder voice – and what began as a protest over a budget has turned into a full-scale revolt against a system that, for many Bulgarians, has failed to deliver justice, opportunity and dignity.
Keta bullgaret sllavoqener i pafsha varur se keta jane kombi me i ndyre qe na kane shkaterruar ne. Erdhen nga gopi semes e me pabesi si serbet na goditen pas shpine bashke me ottomanet.