Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Bulgarian Government Resigns Amid Protests
Bulgaria's government has stepped down after many people protested in the streets.
The protests were about corruption and a new budget that would have made people pay more taxes.
All the lawmakers in the parliament agreed to let the government resign.
Now, the president will try to form a new government, but it might be hard because the biggest party in parliament has said they don't want to do it.
If no one can form a new government, there might be another election.
Bulgaria has had a lot of elections recently because it's been hard to make a government that everyone agrees on.
Bulgarian lawmakers unanimously approved the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyakov's government following weeks of protests against corruption and a proposed tax hike.
All 227 lawmakers present voted in favor of the resignation, with a revised 2026 budget expected to be approved later the same day.
President Rumen Radev, who had urged the government to resign, will now task the largest party in parliament, GERB, with forming a new government.
GERB leader Boyko Borissov has indicated his party will decline the mandate, potentially leading to a snap election if no other parties accept the task.
Bulgaria has held seven national elections in the past four years due to the difficulty in forming stable governments.
- Who
- Bulgarian lawmakers and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyakov's government
- What
- Approved the resignation of the government and are expected to approve a revised 2026 budget
- When
- On Friday, December 12, 2024, with the resignation effective immediately and the budget approval expected later the same day
- Where
- In the Bulgarian parliament
- Why
- Due to mass street protests against state corruption and a proposed budget that would have increased social security contributions and taxes on dividends
- Population
- 6.7 million
- Government Type
- Minority government
- Current Prime Minister
- Rosen Zhelyakov
- President
- Rumen Radev
- Largest Party in Parliament
- GERB
- GERB Leader
- Boyko Borissov
- Total Lawmakers
- 240
- Lawmakers Voting for Resignation
- 227