Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his government have resigned following massive protests across the country, culminating in thousands of demonstrators filling the streets of Sofia on Wednesday evening.
The dramatic move came just ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence vote and only 20 days before Bulgaria is set to join the eurozone, BBC reports.
Protesters had accused the center-right government, in power since January, of widespread corruption. Last week, in response to the demonstrations, the government had already withdrawn a controversial budget plan for the next year.
“We hear the voice of the citizens protesting against the government,” Zhelyazkov said in a televised address.
The resignation marks a significant political shift in Bulgaria at a critical moment as the country prepares for euro adoption, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with governance and corruption.
