‘Don’t Feed the Pig’: The Anti-Corruption Call That Helped Topple a Government

Mass protests in Bulgaria, triggered by a controversial budget that raised taxes and increased state security salaries, led to the government's collapse in December 2025. Demonstrators, using the slogan "Don't Feed the Pig" to symbolize anti-corruption, saw the budget as a power grab at the expense of ordinary citizens. The protests, fueled by widespread outrage over graft, drew participants from diverse segments of society across the country. The size of the demonstrations surprised even organizers, reaching tens of thousands and spreading to various cities. The opposition coalition, We Continue the Change — Democratic Bulgaria, aims to capitalize on this momentum in upcoming elections expected in March.

In Bulgaria, mass protests fueled in part by Gen Z's social media activism contributed to the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and the collapse of the government in December 2025. Young Bulgarians, mobilized through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, protested against government corruption and political instability, marking the first time a European government was unseated by this global movement. The protests, which saw high engagement on political issues, surprised many young participants who questioned their impact. Bulgaria has experienced seven general elections in the past four years. It remains to be seen whether this newfound political energy will translate into higher voter turnout and a more stable government in future elections.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned on Thursday after less than a year in office, succumbing to mass protests fueled by public anger over government corruption. Zhelyazkov, the sixth prime minister in five years, acknowledged the protesters' demands for his resignation. The protests, involving tens of thousands across Bulgaria, initially focused on a proposed budget increasing taxes and social security contributions as the country adopts the Euro. The movement expanded to encompass broader concerns about corruption and perceived pro-Russian alignment within the government. The resignation came shortly before a scheduled no-confidence vote against Zhelyazkov's government.

Bulgaria's government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, resigned following weeks of mass anti-corruption protests. The resignation came shortly before a scheduled no-confidence vote and amidst public frustration over economic policies and perceived government inaction on corruption. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians demonstrated in Sofia and other cities, demanding the government's resignation and protesting proposed budget plans viewed as masking corruption. President Rumen Radev also called for the government to step down. Radev will now task parliamentary parties with forming a new government, and if unsuccessful, will appoint an interim government.

The Bulgarian government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, resigned on December 11, 2025, ahead of a scheduled no-confidence vote in parliament. The resignation follows weeks of mass protests throughout Bulgaria against the government's economic policies and perceived failure to combat corruption. Demonstrators voiced concerns over proposed increases to social security contributions and taxes. The government had recently withdrawn its 2026 budget plan in response to the unrest. The resignation occurs shortly before Bulgaria's planned entry into the Eurozone in January. The country has experienced significant political instability in recent years, holding seven national elections in the past four years.

Bulgaria's government withdrew its 2026 draft budget following widespread protests in Sofia and other cities. The protests, largely led by young Bulgarians, stemmed from concerns about government corruption and the budget's potential harm to the economy ahead of Bulgaria's planned Eurozone entry in early 2026. Demonstrators opposed the proposed tax and social security increases within the budget. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov acknowledged the protesters' concerns and promised a revised budget. While most protests were peaceful, some clashes occurred between masked protesters and police in Sofia. A Bulgarian parliament member suggested Russia may be attempting to exploit the unrest.