Bulgarian government withdraws budget proposal after largest protests in a decade
Thousands of demonstrators in multiple cities criticized the proposal for imposing higher taxes on the private sector while channeling more funds to the state sector.
The Bulgarian center-right government on Tuesday withdrew a controversial 2026 budget proposal following a week of Gen Z-led mass protests.
“The Council of Ministers has proposed that the National Assembly adopt a decision to withdraw the draft State Budget for 2026,” the government said in a press release.
The biggest demonstration Monday drew around 50,000 to 100,000 people to the streets of Sofia, according to various media accounts, including the Bulgarian News Agency, but remained peaceful.
After the rally dispersed, some masked rioters that were not previously at the protests hurled firecrackers and bottles at police officers, burned garbage containers and vandalized police cars.
