Thousands rally to protest Bulgaria’s 2026 budget

Описание: (27 Nov 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sofia, Bulgaria - 26 November 2025
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Wide of protesters scuffling with police near Bulgarian Parliament building
2. Various of protesters scuffling with police, rocking van
3. Protesters shouting UPSOUND (Bulgarian/English) "Mafia" and blowing horn
4. Protester talking to police officers
5. Police chase protesters who vandalised police vehicle
6. Pan of streets filled with protesters, to protesters shouting "Mafia"
7. Close of police line
8. Protester on top of police vehicle
9. Police push back protesters
10. Close of protester using megaphone UPSOUND (Bulgarian) "Resignation"
11. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Kolyo Karastoyanov, protester:
"We protest against this fundamental budget because it threatens to seriously harm a large portion of working Bulgarians - the middle class. This is unacceptable. The government continues to funnel resources into the power structures and an oversized administration that is in desperate need of deep, systemic reform. These 500,000-600,000 people effectively serve as their guaranteed voters. Meaningful, far-reaching reforms are urgently needed!"
12. Various of protesters shouting anti-government slogans
13. Close of police standing guard near parliament
14. Protesters shout UPSOUND (Bulgarian) "Resignation"
15. Various of protest
16. Man holding placard with image of snake instead of hand in handshake, reading (Bulgarian) "With love to Budget 2026"
17. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Vessislava Tancheva, protester:
"A budget of over 100 billion (EUR) to be distributed during the parliamentary recess is simply scandalous. I will not even comment on the behavior of the members of parliament in the committee hall. The conduct of Delyan Dobrev, the committee chairman, was outrageous - bringing armed National Security Service officers into the hall violates multiple laws. Fortunately, he was reprimanded in time and the officers were removed. The debate was heated, but the decisions had been predetermined. Nothing that could have supported the people protesting outside - small, medium, and micro businesses or NGOs - was approved. Everything was rejected by the overwhelming majority that currently dominates parliament."
18. Young protesters shout anti-government slogans
19. Various of protesters scuffling with police
STORYLINE:
Thousands took to the streets of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, on Wednesday to denounce steep tax hikes in next year’s draft budget before its final vote in parliament.

The opposition coalition 'We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria' organized the rally, which drew an estimated 20,000 protesters.

The protest comes as the Balkan country prepares to join the eurozone at the beginning of next year.

The protest reflects widespread concern over the budget’s economic impact on individuals and businesses, including the increase in social security contributions and the doubling of the dividend tax.

Protesters formed a human chain around parliament and tried to block deputies’ cars, prompting police intervention to prevent violence.

Police reported that demonstrators threw bottles and firecrackers at officers, injuring at least three people.

Despite opposition from various social groups and warnings from economists that the draft carries significant risks, the budget will likely be approved since the coalition government holds a comfortable majority in parliament.

The budget sets a record for government spending at nearly 46% of GDP.


AP video by Valentina Petrova

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