Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov offered to resign after a wave of protests, deepening political chaos just weeks before the Balkan country joins the euro area.
Zhelyazkov said he’ll submit his resignation before a vote of no confidence takes place on Thursday. His move comes after tens of thousands of Bulgarians rallied for days against the parties backing his government, occasionally clashing with the police.
“Vox populi, vox dei,” Zhelyazkov said in the assembly in Sofia. “We hear the voice of the citizens protesting against the government.”
Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov, is seen during his official visit to the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova, 27 July 2025. © Photo credit: Shutterstock
The decision won’t affect Bulgaria’s entry to the euro on Jan. 1. But the crisis underscores a growing sense of resentment, especially among younger Bulgarians, after years of European Union membership failed to deliver on a promise of improved rule of law.
A member of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s Gerb party — Bulgaria’s biggest bloc — Zhelyazkov has led a minority government backed by factions across the political spectrum since January. Among them is the cabinet’s unofficial partner,Delyan Peevski, a lawmaker and former media mogul sanctioned by the US and the UK for corruption.
This drone aerial photograph shows the crowd as tens of thosands of protesters gather in central Sofia to demonstrate against the Buglarian government, in Sofia on December 10, 2025. © Photo credit: AFP
Protesters chanted slogans against Borissov and Peevski, accusing the latter of having informal control of the government, the security services, the judiciary and the state budget. Peevski has denied any wrongdoing, but has repeatedly underscored his influence over the government.
President Rumen Radev will next give Borissov the chance to propose a new government. If he fails, the parliament’s second-largest faction will get a chance before Radev picks a final candidate himself. Three failures will trigger a snap election that could take place next spring.
Another election would accelerate the political crisis which has seen the Balkan country hold seven general elections since 2021, none of which produced a stable majority.