Leading world media comment on large-scale protests in Bulgaria

Many world leading media outlets have come out with publications following last night's massive protests against the budget and corruption in the Bulgarian capital Sofia and other cities and towns in the country.

• Thousands go out on protest in Sofia and major cities across Bulgaria

The French newspaper Le Monde highlights that Bulgarians are protesting against “the draft state budget, which envisages salary increases in the public sector and higher taxes,” noting that protestors believe “these measures will only worsen corruption.”

ZDF emphasizes that on January 1 Bulgaria will join the eurozone. “According to surveys, about half of Bulgarians reject the common currency due to fears of rising prices,” the German broadcaster points out.

Protesters want the government to keep its promise to withdraw the 2026 budget, which foresees higher taxes and increased social security contributions, adds Deutsche Welle, cited by BTA.

"In central Sofia, demonstrators packed the giant square in front of the National Assembly building. One of the rally organizers put the attendance at 50,000, according to the Bulgarian News Agency, BTA. They chanted "Resignation!" and sang and danced as they waved Bulgarian and European Union flags The protesters projected the words "Resign" and "Mafia" onto the government buildings around the square and held two large banners saying: "Generation Z is coming" and "Young Bulgaria without the mafia", Deutsche Welle write.

• Bulgaria sees massive protests against budget, corruption

Around half of Bulgarians oppose the adoption of the euro, fearing that it will undermine the country’s sovereignty and that retailers will take advantage of it to raise prices, Reuters explains.

• Thousands rally in Bulgaria against 2026 budget, clash with police

Edited by Ivo Ivanov, R. Petkova
English version: R. Petkova