Historic political shift: Gen Z-led protests oust Bulgarian government

Thekabarnews.com—In Bulgaria, Gen Z organized big protests that forced the prime minister and all of his cabinet members to step down. This was the start of a new chapter in European political history. The protests that started on December 1 are one of the best examples in Europe of how Gen Z can use the streets to bring down a government.

The protests started because the planned state budget for 2026 would have meant a big rise in government spending. Protesters said that the idea could make it easier for anyone to steal public money. Critics have already accused the political system of failing to eliminate corruption, and the demonstration would happen within that same system.

Corruption has been a problem in Bulgaria for a long time. Since it joined the European Union in 2007, many people have said that the country doesn’t do enough to punish the rich and powerful in business and politics. In fact, every year, Transparency International’s reports show that Bulgaria is one of the EU member states with the most corruption.

People were even angrier because there had not been many high-profile convictions in big corruption cases in the last few years. Additionally, Gen Z, who grew up with easy access to information from all over the world and the idea that government should be open, saw the situation as proof that accountability and justice had failed.

Political parties or labor unions didn’t plan this protest as they had in the past. However, it could change. People used social media to organize protests and share their thoughts. The protesters were clear and focused on what they wanted: a government that was honest, open, and accountable.

Many people told the prime minister to step down, and he finally did. The whole cabinet did the same thing not long after. As a result, Gen Z has had a big impact on politics in Bulgaria. Now, Bulgaria is one of many countries where such an event has happened.

Experts say that changing leaders alone will not stop long-standing networks of corruption. Resignations in politics are significant. However, the protesters’ demands for significant systemic changes are likely to pose a long-term challenge.

One thing is clear: Gen Z in Bulgaria is a powerful political group that wants change right away.