Bulgaria has experienced a significant political shift following the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his cabinet, which occurred amid large-scale protests led primarily by Gen Z citizens. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Sofia and other cities, filling central streets and demanding an end to corruption and poor governance.
The protests continued for days and grew stronger as young people took the lead. Demonstrators accused the minority centre-right government, which came into power in January, of widespread corruption and lack of transparency. Protesters claimed that the leadership had failed to meet public expectations and had ignored calls for accountability.
The resignation came just before a planned no-confidence vote in parliament. It also happened only about twenty days before Bulgaria was set to enter the eurozone, making the timing especially important for the country. Due to public pressure, the government had already scrapped a controversial budget plan last week, but protesters said this was not enough.
President Rumen Radev also called on the government to step down, adding to the pressure on Prime Minister Zhelyazkov. Facing growing unrest and political isolation, the prime minister announced his resignation along with his cabinet.
Although the government has resigned, ministers will continue to manage daily affairs until a new cabinet is formed. Talks are expected to begin soon to decide the next steps and form a new government.
Many observers say the protests show the rising power of Gen Z in politics. Young Bulgarians used peaceful protests to demand change, proving that public pressure can still hold leaders accountable.
The events in Bulgaria highlight a strong message. When citizens unite and raise their voices, even powerful governments are forced to listen.
