Name: Bulgaria fully withdraws controversial budget plan after protests
Uploaded: 2025-12-02T15:01:25.360Z
Duration: 1 min 52 s
Description: The Bulgarian government says it is permanently withdrawing a controversial budget proposal after another night of major protests in Sofia and beyond.

The Bulgarian government says it is permanently withdrawing a controversial budget proposal after another night of major protests in Sofia and beyond.

Sofia

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Sofia to protest the Bulgarian government's draft budget, making it the largest demonstration in the country in decades. The protest, largely peaceful and dominated by young people, called for the resignation of the ruling coalition and prosecution of key political leaders.

Following the protests and domestic pressure, the government announced the withdrawal of its controversial budget plan, which included significant tax hikes. However, Prime Minister Boiko Borisov later promised to revise the draft instead, prompting further rallies as concerns grew over potential economic instability and Bulgaria's upcoming adoption of the euro.

Bulgaria fully withdraws controversial budget plan after protests

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the Bulgarian capital Sofia to voice their objection to the government's budget draft for next year in what turned out to be the biggest protest in the country in decades. The demonstration was dominated by young people and was planned to be peaceful in nature. Protesters chanted resignation as they demanded the incumbent coalition, led by the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, known as GURB, to revise the draft or step down. Protesters also called for the prosecution of two key players in the ruling coalition, GURB leader Boiko Borisov and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan Pivsky. But a small group of masked people incited chaos outside the headquarters of those parties, throwing chairs at the buildings and police officers guarding them, as well as glass bottles. Footage showed clashes between the masked individuals and police forces, with garbage dumpsters being set on fire and police vehicles vandalized, as chaos quickly unraveled. Protesters say those who incited violence were not part of the rallies, accusing them of being hired to provoke and undermine the demonstrations. On the 27th of November, the government announced it was withdrawing its controversial budget plan, which aimed to steeply increase taxes, following domestic pressure and a night of protests. Borisov later rescinded the withdrawal, instead promising changes to the draft, which he said would be implemented by the first or second parliamentary vote, prompting the organization of a second rally. Protesters are worried the proposed budget, along with major imminent shifts, like Bulgaria's adoption of the euro in January, could lead to economic instability.

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