Thousands of Bulgarians gathered in central Sofia on Wednesday, enduring freezing temperatures to demand fair elections as the country prepares for another national vote. The protest comes in the wake of earlier demonstrations triggered by a proposed 2026 budget, which critics said would exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis. Although the government subsequently withdrew the budget plan, public frustration has grown, with demonstrators now calling for the coalition government to resign.
Protesters accused previous administrations of vote-buying and manipulating election results, while also criticising the refusal to implement machine voting ahead of a potential early election. Concerns over political influence were further amplified by sanctioned businessman and politician Delyan Peevski, whose party has supported the outgoing coalition.
Repeated elections have failed to resolve Bulgaria’s political instability, leaving the country facing renewed uncertainty after years of legislative deadlock. The rallies underscore growing public demand for transparency, accountability, and reform in the nation’s electoral system.
