Sofia was preparing to adopt the euro - but something went wrong.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Bulgaria to protest against corruption and the proposed budget for 2026. The largest demonstration, primarily attended by young people, took place in Sofia.
Groups of people marched to the headquarters of the main ruling parties. Despite the peaceful nature of the event, some masked protesters clashed with the police, resulting in 10 arrests.
Last week, the government announced it would review the proposed budget after the suggested tax increases sparked anger among the residents of Bulgaria. Critics fear that the authorities' actions will lead to rising prices and an economic crisis in the poorest country in Europe, which is preparing to adopt the euro at the beginning of next year.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the government would seek to resume dialogue with employers and trade unions.
Zhelyazkov said that the social tension and protests that occurred the night before were a clear signal that the government must prioritize the interests of the country and society over purely political goals.
He called for the restoration of dialogue with employer organizations that had boycotted some meetings of the joint management council.
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