The opposition alliance WCC-DB escalated its criticism of the governing coalition of GERB, BSP, TISP and DPS-New Beginning on Tuesday, calling for the cabinet to step down and warning that it will submit a no-confidence vote if this does not happen. Until now, the coalition had not sought the government’s resignation, focusing instead on demands for a new draft budget for next year.

The call came shortly after a briefing, during which Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the cabinet had no intention of resigning. The exchange unfolded one day after an exceptionally large protest in Sofia, where tens of thousands demonstrated on Monday evening against the ruling party’s 2026 draft budget. Similar gatherings took place across dozens of cities nationwide, forming one of the most significant waves of public dissent in recent years.

On Tuesday morning, the government confirmed that it had submitted a request to parliament to withdraw the 2026 budget bill. "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), however, said that this step did not resolve the underlying political crisis. Addressing GERB leader Boyko Borissov and DPS-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski, WCC co-chair Asen Vassilev declared that the cabinet lacked the moral legitimacy to remain in office. According to him, the protesters’ message was unambiguous: they wanted the resignation of the government and the departure of both Borissov and Peevski from national politics.

Vassilev said the opposition had witnessed enough public frustration across the country to justify early elections, adding that people must be given that choice. WCC-DB issued an ultimatum for the government to resign by the week’s end. Should the cabinet refuse, the coalition vowed to introduce a no-confidence motion citing “complete failure of governance”, while also organizing new demonstrations. Ivaylo Mirchev of "Yes, Bulgaria" (part of WCC-DB) remarked that Monday’s events had been deliberately distorted, accusing individuals linked to DPS-New Beginning of organizing provocateurs.

Political reactions intensified late Monday. WCC-DB reiterated its demand for the resignation of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, whom it had already blamed for police inaction during clashes involving provocateurs. On Tuesday, coalition leaders said that Mitov’s resignation alone would not be sufficient at this stage. President Rumen Radev also called for the government to step down and for early elections to be held.

Delyan Peevski, who was heavily targeted by protesters’ chants, issued a statement attacking both WCC-DB and President Radev, accusing them of instigating the escalation and claiming that Monday’s disturbances were caused by “their agitators”. Meanwhile, GERB’s leadership offered no formal reaction. A scheduled briefing for GERB municipal councillors was replaced by remarks from the party’s youth wing, which defended the Interior Ministry’s actions and argued that the police had fulfilled their responsibilities effectively.