Bulgarians protest against the 2026 budget - Opposition: Social security contributions and taxes on dividends will increase
Thousands of citizens gathered in the Bulgarian capital Sofia and several other cities, protesting against the 2026 budget plan, the first drafted in euros before the European Union member country adopts the single currency on January 1.
Some protesters clashed with police, who surrounded the offices of the ruling parties in Sofia and threw stones, bottles and fireworks at officers.
On November 28, following similar protests, Rosen Zhelyazkov's minority government pledged to resubmit the 2026 spending plan to parliament, aiming to allow more time for consultations with opposition parties, unions and employers. A parliamentary committee had approved the budget plan in first reading on November 18.
Opposition parties and other organizations said they were protesting against government plans to increase social security contributions and taxes on dividends to finance higher spending, as well as state corruption.
About half of Bulgarians oppose the adoption of the euro, fearing that it will infringe on the country's sovereignty and that retailers will exploit the switch from the national currency lev to the euro to raise prices.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned this month that inflation could rise when the Balkan state joins the euro zone.
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