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The demonstrations came after last week’s protests that were
sparked by the government’s budget plans for higher taxes,
increased social security contributions and spending increases.
The government later withdrew the controversial 2026 budget
plan.
The protesters' demands have since expanded to include calls for
the center-right government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov
to resign.
In the capital, Sofia, protesters gathered on a central square
where the parliament, the government and the presidency
buildings are located. Chanting “Resignation” and “Mafia,” they
called on Zhelyazkov's minority coalition Cabinet to step down.
Students from Sofia's universities joined the protests, which
organizers said outnumbered last week's rallies that drew over
50,000 people. Media estimates based on drone visuals put the
number of protesters at over 100,000.
At the core of the protesters' frustrations is the role of
Bulgarian politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who has been
sanctioned by both the United States and Britain, and whose MRF
New Beginning party backs the government. Peevski has been
accused by opponents of helping shaping government policy in
line with oligarchic interests.
No violence was reported and the protests ended peacefully.
Also on Wednesday, the opposition coalition We Continue the
Change – Democratic Bulgaria called for a no-confidence vote in
the government. The vote, the sixth such motion by the
opposition, will take place on Thursday.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev wrote on Facebook that
Wednesday's demonstrations were in effect a vote of "no
confidence in the Cabinet.”
Radev, an opponent of the government who hails from the
political left, urged the lawmakers to listen to the people and
to “choose between the dignity of free voting and the shame of
dependence” when they vote on Thursday.
Bulgaria is soon to become the 21st member of the eurozone, a
euro currency union that is a key EU project aimed at deepening
ties between member countries. The Balkan country of 6.4 million
people is to make the switch from its national currency, the lev,
to the euro on Jan. 1.
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