Bulgaria is a country that carries the historical fluidity of the Balkans, the political and cultural interactions between the East and the West, and the pressure of transformation that comes with European Union (EU) membership at the same time. Its political structure is fragile, but its social dynamism is high. Since the post-communist period, politics in Bulgaria has moved between efforts for democratization and the search for institutional stability, and it has often seen fragmented coalitions, frequently changing governments, and fluctuations in public trust in the state. The inequalities created by the economic transition, the influence of oligarchs, deep-rooted perceptions of corruption, and the concerns of the young population about the future are among the main factors shaping the country’s political atmosphere for many years.
For this reason, every political crisis in Bulgaria is seen not only as a result of the current political situation, but also as a reflection of systematic structural problems and the weakening parts of the democratic representation mechanism. In the country, where the culture of protest is historically strong, social reaction has often been an important trigger for political change and has widened the debates about the legitimacy of institutions.
Exactly in this context, the government crisis that appeared in the country in December 2025 drew attention as a new expression of the ongoing fragilities in both the political and social structure of Bulgaria. This period, in which dissatisfaction accumulated for months, economic uncertainties, and especially the growing demands of the young generation came together, brought large-scale protests that resulted in the resignation of the government. It also placed Bulgaria’s democratic governance problems once again at the center of the national and international agenda.
The crisis process first became visible through an economic debate, and the 2026 draft budget prepared by the government created a strong reaction in the public. Especially the tax increases for the private sector, the changes in social security obligations, and the regulations that increased state intervention in some sectors created uncertainty among economic actors and caused a wave of dissatisfaction in society, combined with the rising cost of living.[i] Even so, the fact that the protests continued with the same intensity after the budget draft was withdrawn showed that the main dynamics of the crisis were political rather than economic.
At this point, the main factor is that the corruption allegations that have been discussed for years, the non-transparent decision-making processes, and the government’s relations with certain political and economic actors have created a serious problem of representation among large parts of society. The fact that the main slogans and demands of the protests focused on issues such as the resignation of the government, strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, and institutional reform strengthened the view that the reactions were not only about the budget, but were an expression of a multi-layered political discomfort.[ii]
One of the most important elements that characterizes this crisis is the clear increase in the political mobilization of the young generation in Bulgaria. The fact that the 18–28 age group, defined especially as Gen Z, joined the protests at a record level showed that a new moment was reached in the country’s socio-political transformation.[iii] For a long time, this generation has had a strong tendency to migrate abroad, and their concerns about employment and income security have become clearer. They expressed very strongly the perception that the government failed in transparency and accountability. The presence of young people in the streets increased the energy of the protest movement, expanded its social legitimacy, and made it a pressure factor that quickly shook the government. This also shows that there is a transformation in the dynamics of political participation in Bulgaria; that the traditional political elites have difficulty finding support for their discourse, and that the political demands of the young generation have now reached a weight that cannot be ignored.
The crisis is not only connected to domestic political dynamics, but also closely linked to the long-lasting instability of Bulgaria’s institutional structure. The fact that seven elections have been held in the country in the last four years shows that the average lifespan of governments has become seriously shorter, coalitions have become more fragile, and the level of trust among political actors has decreased.[iv] This situation has made it difficult for governments to carry out long-term reforms and has turned politics into an area shaped by short-term interest calculations.
Before the 2025 crisis, the government faced several no-confidence votes in the parliament, which showed that its control over the parliamentary majority had weakened and its political legitimacy had become questionable. Therefore, the resignation in December 2025 was technically not the result of the budget debates or the momentary protests, but the result of a wider institutional legitimacy crisis.
Another critical factor that played a role in the crisis was the public discussion of the government’s relations with certain political and economic actors. The oligarchic structures that have long been debated, the close relations political elites established with certain economic groups, and their alleged influence on public procurement processes deepened social distrust. The reactions of the protesters were directed not only at the government but also at a broader criticism of the “political system,” and issues such as the independence of state institutions, the rule of law, and democratic accountability took a central place in the protests.[v] In this context, it is not possible to see the crisis as limited only to the resignation of the government. The main discussion focuses on the institutional functioning of the state, the independence of the judiciary, media freedom, and the integrity of public administration.
Although the resignation of the government seems like a result demanded by the protest movement in the short term, it does not guarantee long-term stability in Bulgarian politics. On the one hand, the resignation showed the democratic pressure capacity of the public and the power of collective mobilization, but on the other hand, it made the country’s political fragility and institutional weaknesses visible again.[vi] The fall of the government may push the country into new election debates in a short time; however, the problems are not simple enough to be solved only through elections. A lasting solution in Bulgaria is possible only by establishing independent and effective mechanisms to fight corruption, raising transparency standards in public administration, developing comprehensive policies for the economic expectations of young people, and most importantly, rebuilding trust among political actors.
In conclusion, the 2025 Bulgaria government crisis clearly showed the fragility in the country’s democratic governance structures, the weakening legitimacy of the political representation system, and the rising demands of society, especially of the young population. The crisis points not only to the fall of the current government but also to the need to rethink democracy, the rule of law, and state–society relations in Bulgaria. In this sense, the 2025 crisis can be seen not as a temporary political turbulence, but as the beginning of a restructuring process that will shape Bulgaria’s future political architecture. How this process will evolve depends on both political actors acting with a sense of responsibility and the sustainability of society’s will for democratic participation.
[i] “Bulgarian government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/2025/12/11/bulgarians-demand-government-resign-in-mass-protests-over-corruption, (Date of Access: 11.12.2025).
[ii] “Bulgarian government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/11/bulgarian-government-resigns-mass-anti-corruption-protests, (Date of Access: 11.12.2025).
[iii] “Mihail Ivanov, Bulgaria protests: Why did Gen Z turn out in record numbers?”, DW, https://www.dw.com/en/bulgaria-protests-why-did-gen-z-turn-out-in-record-numbers/a-75093957, (Date of Access: 11.12.2025).
[iv] “’The government resigns’: Bulgaria’s PM steps down after anti-corruption protests”, France 24, https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251211-the-government-resigns-bulgaria-s-pm-steps-down-after-anti-graft-protests, (Date of Access: 11.12.2025).
[v] Ibid.
[vi] Ibid.
