The government of Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has resigned after protesters took to the streets in cities across the country and filled the centre of the capital Sofia on Wednesday night. Zhelyazkov's dramatic move came ahead of a vote of no confidence in parliament, and 20 days before Bulgaria joins the euro.
Protesters had accused his minority centre-right government, in power since January, of widespread corruption. The government had already scrapped a controversial budget plan for next year in response to the demonstrations last week. We hear the voice of citizens protesting against the government, Zhelyazkov said in a TV address.
Both young and old have raised their voices for [our resignation], he added. This civic energy must be supported and encouraged. A statement on the government website said ministers would continue in their roles until a new cabinet was elected.
Between 50,000 and 100,000 people turned out in Sofia's central Triangle of Power and Independence Square on Wednesday evening calling for the government to go. The words Resignation and Mafia Out were projected onto the parliament building.
They were backed last week by President Rumen Radev, who had also called on the government to stand down. Zhelyazkov's government had already survived five votes of no confidence and was expected to get through a sixth on Thursday.
Many protesters expressed anger towards two influential figures: oligarch Delyan Peevski and former prime minister Boyko Borissov. The protest was organized under the slogan Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power, according to Bulgaria's BTA news agency. Peevski has faced sanctions from the US and UK over alleged corruption and has been a supporter of the government's survival.
Despite the political turbulence, Bulgaria's transition into the eurozone is not seen as under threat. In his resignation statement, Zhelyazkov emphasized that Bulgaria faces significant challenges and that the citizens must propose genuine solutions for the future government structure."
Protesters had accused his minority centre-right government, in power since January, of widespread corruption. The government had already scrapped a controversial budget plan for next year in response to the demonstrations last week. We hear the voice of citizens protesting against the government, Zhelyazkov said in a TV address.
Both young and old have raised their voices for [our resignation], he added. This civic energy must be supported and encouraged. A statement on the government website said ministers would continue in their roles until a new cabinet was elected.
Between 50,000 and 100,000 people turned out in Sofia's central Triangle of Power and Independence Square on Wednesday evening calling for the government to go. The words Resignation and Mafia Out were projected onto the parliament building.
They were backed last week by President Rumen Radev, who had also called on the government to stand down. Zhelyazkov's government had already survived five votes of no confidence and was expected to get through a sixth on Thursday.
Many protesters expressed anger towards two influential figures: oligarch Delyan Peevski and former prime minister Boyko Borissov. The protest was organized under the slogan Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power, according to Bulgaria's BTA news agency. Peevski has faced sanctions from the US and UK over alleged corruption and has been a supporter of the government's survival.
Despite the political turbulence, Bulgaria's transition into the eurozone is not seen as under threat. In his resignation statement, Zhelyazkov emphasized that Bulgaria faces significant challenges and that the citizens must propose genuine solutions for the future government structure."
