Bulgaria’s Government Falls: A New Era Begins after Protests

The government of Bulgaria has resigned. This happened after weeks of big protests in the streets (Bulgaria). Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov handed in his government’s resignation. His government was a minority coalition. It had been in office for less than a year.

The protests started small. They quickly grew very large. Tens of thousands of people gathered. They were in the capital city, Sofia. They were also in many other towns. The protesters were angry. They demanded that the leaders step down.

Why Were People So Angry?

The protests have caused by several big issues. The first issue was a new budget plan. This plan was for the year 2026. The government wanted to raise taxes. They also wanted people to pay more for social security. People saw these changes as unfair.

The government quickly withdrew the budget plan. They removed it to calm the crowds. But the protests did not stop. The anger was about more than just money. It was about a much bigger problem.

The Problem of Corruption

The main cause of the protests was corruption. Many Bulgarians feel that their government is corrupt. They believe that politicians fail to fight this problem. Corruption means dishonesty and cheating by people in power.

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. But it has seen as the poorest country in the EU. It also ranks very low in fighting corruption. People chanted “Resign” in the streets. They held signs that said, “I’m fed up!” Their patience has run out.

The Role of a Key Politician

One politician caused a lot of anger. His name is Delyan Peevski. He is a former media boss. His party supports the current government. Many critics say he holds too much power.

Mr. Peevski has faced serious charges. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have sanctioned him. These sanctions are for alleged corruption. Protesters believe he influences government decisions. They think he helps powerful rich people. He denies all of these claims. But his name became a symbol of the problem.

The Prime Minister Speaks Out

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov announced his decision on television. He spoke just before a big vote. The opposition parties wanted a vote to remove him. This has called a no-confidence motion.

By resigning, he avoided this vote. He said he listened to the people. This stated that the government heard the voice of the citizens. He said that this public energy must supported. It recognized that the protests were important. He admitted the government needed to step down.

A Crisis of Trust

Many experts agree that Bulgaria is in a deep political crisis. The level of trust in government is very low. People do not trust their ministers. They do not trust the parliament. This low trust is nothing new. But the protests show that it has become too great to ignore.

A sociologist named Dobromir Zhivkov said something important. He said that Bulgarian society is united. It is united against the way the country is governed. This unity of anger led to the resignation.

The Threat of Political Instability

Bulgaria has had many problems forming a stable government. The country has held many elections recently. They have voted seven times in just four years. This shows how unstable the politics are.

When a government resigns, it creates more chaos. New elections are now very likely. This means more time of political uncertainty. It delays important work that the country needs to do. This instability is bad for business and for growth.

The Eurozone Deadline

The resignation comes at a very bad time. Bulgaria is planning a big change soon. The country is set to join the Eurozone. This means they will start using the Euro currency. This change is supposed to happen on January 1.

Joining the Eurozone is a big step. It is meant to show stability. The protests and resignation create doubt. People are already worried about prices. They fear that adopting the Euro will make things more expensive. The political chaos adds to these fears.

What Happens Next in Bulgaria?

The government’s resignation must be accepted by the parliament. After that, the President of Bulgaria takes action. The President, Rumen Radev, will start a process. He must try to form a new government.

He will ask the largest political party to try first. If they fail, he asks the second largest party. If everyone fails, the President must appoint a caretaker government. This temporary government will run the country until new elections. Most people think new elections are almost certain.

The Voice of the People

The street protests were a major success for the citizens. They showed the power of the people. Tens of thousands marched peacefully. Students joined the rallies. They made their voices heard very clearly.

The protesters want more than just a new government. They want real change. This want to fix the problem of corruption once and for all. They want a country where laws are followed. They want a government they can trust.

The Road Ahead is Unclear

The resignation of the Prime Minister is only the start. It opens a new chapter of uncertainty for Bulgaria. The country is facing many challenges at once. They must deal with political chaos. They must also prepare to adopt the Euro.

The focus now shifts to the President and the parliament. They must work fast to solve the crisis. The people have made their demands known. They want a government that serves them. The next few months will be very important for Bulgaria’s future.

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