Violent clashes erupted in Sofia Tuesday night as a large protest against the Bulgarian government turned chaotic, resulting in injuries to both police officers and demonstrators. The unrest, which spread to over a dozen cities across the country, underscores escalating tensions surrounding the proposed 2026 budget and broader discontent wiht the ruling coalition. Reports indicate a complex situation with accusations of provocation and calls for the Interior Minister’s resignation following the clashes and injuries to journalists covering the events.
A large-scale protest in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia turned violent Tuesday night as a group of hooded individuals clashed with police, resulting in multiple injuries and over a dozen arrests. The unrest unfolded as demonstrators took to the streets, and the incident underscores growing tensions within the country.
According to a statement from the Sofia Directorate of Internal Security, more than ten people were detained in the city center. One police officer sustained a broken leg, and another was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Emergency medical services dispatched eight ambulances to the scene, with an additional three on standby. Katia Sungarska, a spokesperson for the Sofia Center for Emergency Medical Assistance, reported on bTV that several protesters were treated for various injuries and transported to local hospitals.
Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported that over 10 participants were arrested, at least three police officers were injured – one with a broken leg – and approximately a dozen citizens sought medical attention for trauma sustained during the clashes.
Among those injured were Благовест Илиев, a reporter for Bulgaria ON AIR, and a member of the technical crew from Bulgarian National Television (BNT) covering the event.
The protest began to dissipate after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, and traffic flow in the area surrounding Parliament was restored. A police presence remained in the area as the last protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly. Reports indicate that police vehicles attempted to pass through Alexander I Square, but were blocked by demonstrators.
Police attempted to engage in dialogue with the protesters. A civilian vehicle with its lights activated also tried to proceed through the square, but was prevented from doing so, after which officers directed the crowd to clear the boulevard for traffic.
Demonstrations also took place in several other Bulgarian cities, including Blagoevgrad, Gotse Delchev, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, Lovech, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Shumen, and Yambol.
President Rumen Radev released a statement on social media characterizing the violence not as a clash between police and protesters, but as a provocation by organized crime intended to incite conflict. He called for an end to the violence and urged all parties to abide by the law. “The provocations do not change the fact: Bulgarians said NO to this government. The only way out is resignation and early elections,” Radev stated.
Asen Vassilev, chairman of “We Continue the Change,” called for the resignation of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, telling BTA that Mitov had allowed police officers to be attacked during a peaceful protest and rally. He demanded Mitov submit his resignation that evening. Vassilev also stated that the protest itself concluded peacefully, but a procession then moved toward the headquarters of “DPS-New Beginning” and GERB.
Ivailo Mirchev echoed the call for the interior minister’s resignation, citing what he described as an inadequate police response during the protest. Speaking on Nova Television, he noted that a greater police presence had been deployed during smaller protests to secure the entire route.
“No government with a shred of common sense would insist on remaining in power under such anger,” said Bozidar Bozhanov, co-chairman of “Yes, Bulgaria,” in a statement to Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). He added that the protest in Sofia and other cities across the country was peaceful, massive, and clearly expressed anger toward the ruling authorities.
“Bulgaria has risen up,” wrote Andrey Tzekov, a member of parliament from “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria,” in a Facebook post.
Delian Peevski, leader of “DPS-New Beginning,” responded to the president’s statement, saying, “Radev revealed his true face! We will not allow anarchy and chaos to take over Bulgaria.”
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev described the protest as marred by a group of hooded vandals during an interview on Bulgarian National Television (BNT). “It was very clear that there were groups of people with hoods, dressed entirely in black, with wrenches sticking out of their pockets,” the mayor said.
“We Continue the Change” distanced itself from the vandalism and violence that occurred during the protest, publishing images on Facebook of peaceful protesters with the caption: “This is what one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and youthful protests in our recent history looked like. What happened at the end had other authors, and we categorically distance ourselves from all acts of vandalism and violence.”
“Sofia is burning! Bulgaria is protesting! The police reluctantly guard the headquarters of ‘New Beginning’ and GERB from the righteous anger of the people. They didn’t protect them anyway,” wrote Radostin Vasilev, leader of MECH, in a Facebook post. He believes that the ruling parties have stolen 30 years from the Bulgarian people and that the current unrest is both expected and unsurprising. Vasilev added that any provocation was against the patience of the Bulgarian people.
Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of “Vazrazhdane,” posted a verse from Geo Milev’s poem “September” on his Facebook profile during the night of the protest against the 2026 budget. “The night gives birth from a dead womb to the age-old malice of the slave: its purple wrath – majestic,” Kostadinov wrote. /BTA
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