Protests Across Bulgaria Against 2026 State Budget Draft

Protests against the 2026 state budget are taking place in Sofia and several other cities across the country, with the demonstration in the capital starting at 18:00.

Despite the official start time, demonstrators began gathering at their usual meeting point in the so-called “Triangle of Power” from around 17:00. The protest carries the slogan, “We will not allow to be lied to, we will not allow to be robbed.” On the stage erected in front of the Council of Ministers, various video clips and messages are being shown, featuring leaders of “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC–DB) as well as young people and social media influencers who have produced their own content.

The protests have been sparked by the 2026 state budget darft. The opposition, led by WCC–DB, has called for the budget to be fully withdrawn from Parliament. Initially, the ruling party under Boyko Borisov indicated it would withdraw the budget, but this did not materialise, prompting the demonstrations both from the political opposition and from citizens gathered in the square.

A protester explained:

“It angers me that this budget is being unfairly distributed. They are using incorrect EU data and assuming that funds will magically appear. Money doesn’t come from the sky; someone has to earn it, and the conditions for earning it simply aren’t there.”

Another added:

“I want to defend my country and the rights of all citizens here to live in a better state. I ask everyone in Parliament, as a law student, why those who make and vote on the laws do not follow them. How can they have the audacity to tarnish the country, to tarnish this great nation, and rob us? Because of them, young people are leaving the country; it is no longer normal to live here. The aim is to peacefully express our discontent with this budget and to make our voices heard.”

The square of the "Triangle of Power" (between the Council of Ministers, the Presidency and the Parliament building in downtown Sofia) is packed with people, and additional monitors have been set up near the Presidency and the Bulgarian National Bank so demonstrators can see and hear the stage proceedings. Words and slogans are also being projected onto the facades of the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers.

Organisers have taken measures to prevent unnecessary tension and provocation, distributing leaflets explaining what is and isn’t allowed, emphasising that this is a peaceful protest and discouraging both physical conflict and hate speech.

Similar demonstrations are taking place in other Bulgarian cities, including Varna, Burgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora, Nova Zagora, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, and Sliven, where participants are also mobilising via social media to voice their discontent with the 2026 budget draft.