Mass demonstrations against the proposed Budget 2026 drew large crowds across Bulgaria on Monday evening, with thousands rallying in Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and several regional cities to demand the immediate withdrawal of the draft financial plan.
The coordinated protests marked one of the largest public mobilizations of the year, driven by accusations of inadequate reforms, rising taxes and a lack of transparency from the governing coalition.
In the capital, Sofia, the rally began shortly after 6:00 p.m. around the Triangle of Power, quickly filling the area with chanting citizens carrying banners and flags.
The demonstration, organized by the opposition alliance We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB), was the second major gathering in the city within a week. Last Wednesday’s protest pushed the government to temporarily halt the budget process and reopen consultations in the Tripartite Council.
Senior WCC-DB members, including Asen Vassilev, Kiril Petkov, Nikolay Denkov, Ivaylo Mirchev and Ivaylo Shotekov, joined the march. Addressing the crowd, Vassilev declared that demonstrations would continue “until this harmful budget is withdrawn,” insisting that the plan threatened economic stability and undermined Bulgaria’s future.
Demonstrators carried signs reading “We do not want a budget without reforms,” “Weak 2 for communication, reforms and vision,” and “We will not let them lie to us.” Many messages were aimed directly at DPS-New Beginning and its leader Delyan Peevski, whose influence remains a flashpoint for public anger.
Among the younger participants was 21-year-old law student Alexander Ivanov, who argued that the budget was “unacceptable in any currency” and said fresh elections were necessary. He sharply criticized MPs from DPS-New Beginning, calling them “illegitimate deputies” who did not represent public interest.
Another protester, Miroslav Vassilev, said he was attending his second demonstration, noting that dissatisfaction extended far beyond the budget itself. “This is also about people like Bayram Bayram in parliament,” he said. “Citizens share responsibility too—we elect them. WCC-DB is a fragile hope, but it could fade if things don’t change.”
Just before 8:00 p.m., musicians from a Kaba Bagpipe ensemble performed, prompting the crowd to raise mobile phones and light up the square. Chants of “Resignation!” echoed around the Triangle of Power, the Presidency and the Bulgarian National Bank. Later, protesters moved toward the headquarters of DPS-New Beginning, shouting “Shishi out!”—a nickname referring to Peevski.
Police set up nine security checkpoints, screening individuals known from previous demonstrations for aggressive behavior and checking for prohibited items such as pyrotechnics, batons and weapons. Despite heavy security, the atmosphere remained peaceful.
In Varna, thousands gathered in front of the District Administration to voice frustration over what they described as an absence of reforms and transparency in the draft budget.
Young people formed a visible share of the crowd, which later marched toward the Municipality building, blocking intersections along the route. Posters read “We are tired of lies and promises” and “Return the budget from scratch. You have 3 weeks.”
Plovdiv saw similar momentum as protesters moved from Saedinenie Square toward the Municipality. Many carried signs featuring a crossed-out letter “D,” symbolizing opposition to Peevski.
WCC-DB MP Manol Peykov demanded the government’s resignation and criticized the decision to restrict the protest away from the central square due to the Christmas tree ceremony. His colleague, MP Yordan Ivanov, accused the coalition of raising taxes at the expense of businesses and the middle class.
Smaller but determined gatherings were reported in Sliven, Veliko Tarnovo and Blagoevgrad. In Sliven, residents called for fair taxation and better wages rather than preferential treatment for certain sectors. Demonstrators marched peaceful routes, stopping at local offices of GERB and DPS-New Beginning.
Throughout the protests, WCC-DB leaders reiterated that refusal to withdraw the budget would forfeit the government’s mandate to lead. Many participants argued that the issue was not related to future euro adoption but to what they described as misguided fiscal priorities.
A young business owner attending the Sofia protest wore a symbolic pig sticker, explaining that higher taxes could force many small entrepreneurs to close. “Corruption drains money from the people into private pockets,” he said. “This budget could destroy small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Organizers stressed that the demonstrations were peaceful and lawful, focused solely on opposing the draft budget and expressing dissatisfaction with policies they consider harmful. They also criticized Prime Minister Boyko Borissov for remarks about young protesters, warning that public patience is wearing thin.