Protests Held in Major Cities in Bulgaria against 2026 State Budget Draft

Mass demonstrations continued across the country on December 1 as citizens voiced their opposition to the government’s proposed 2026 state budget.

Varna

The protest in Varna began promptly at 18:00 in front of the Regional Administration building, as scheduled. Citizens expressed concerns that no real steps had been taken to revise the budget after its temporary withdrawal, fearing that the planned financial measures would negatively impact households and businesses. Protesters emphasized that they did not want to be “robbed” by the state. The demonstration evolved into a march along the city’s main boulevards, concluding at the Municipality building, where Mayor Blagomir Kotsev addressed the crowd.

“These people are mocking us. We need to show them that the power lies with us, not them.”
“There’s outrage over a budget passed without consultation, forcing our children to pay the price for ill-considered decisions.”

Blagomir Kotsev, Mayor of Varna, stated:
"We are here because of the budget. A budget should reflect a fair distribution of resources, but this one does not. It should have served those in need."

Plovdiv

In Plovdiv, memebers of the public gathered at Saedinenie Square at 18:00 to demand a fairer state budget. With posters, whistles, and slogans, they called for the 2026 Budget to be revised, demanded greater transparency, and opposed political backroom deals.

The protest carried the motto: “Enough idling, they are robbing us!” The crowd later marched through the city centre. Numerous police patrols have been deployed at key points in the city centre to guard the protest and avoid provocations, and barriers were set up to regulate traffic.

“The reason is the budget, but in Plovdiv this protest has been long overdue over multiple issues — we need to show that our city is awake.”

“Not just because of the budget, but because of everything happening in the country — lack of accountability, lawlessness. I want to stay in Bulgaria, I want my children and parents to live a dignified life here.”

“I’m here because of the recent outrages, especially this disgusting budget, designed to rob us again, and the brazen behaviour of those committing these outrages — enough is enough.”

The protest later moved to the square in front of the Municipality.

Blagoevgrad

"Blagoevgrad is Awake! Stop the Budget Theft" — the protest in Blagoevgrad took placeunder this motto. Citizens gathered in front of the Municipality building, demanding that their calls for the withdrawal and revision of the budget be heard. They held up posters calling for an end to corruption and announced that they were giving the authorities a “failing grade” of 2 for reforms, communication, and vision.

The protest was announced as a student-led event and was not supported by any political parties."We don't want to pay for them to steal," the organisers said, opposing a budget that is digging into Bulgarians' pockets.

Burgas

In Burgas, protesters against the budget gathered in the square in front of the municipality. Tensions rose slightly after three individuals tore down and broke European Union flags that some participants were waving. The police removed the men. A few eggs were also thrown, though the protesters themselves were unharmed. The crowd demanded that the government resign.

Veliko Tarnovo

In Veliko Tarnovo, citizens also took to the streets to protest against the draft budget for 2026. For nearly an hour, demonstrators blocked traffic on one of the city’s main streets – Vasil Levski Boulevard – in the area near the Courthouse.

The organisers stated that their aim was to show that Veliko Tarnovo, too, has an active civic community that will not accept a budget that disadvantages the people, businesses, and public services.