Mass demonstrations against Budget 2026 drew large crowds in several major Bulgarian cities, with thousands taking to the streets to demand the withdrawal of the draft financial plan. The rally in Sofia began shortly after 6:00 p.m. around the Triangle of Power and quickly filled the area with participants. Asen Vassilev from the opposition party "We Continue the Change" (WCC) declared that the protesters would continue until the proposed budget is removed. This was the second such action in the capital, following last Wednesday’s demonstration that prompted a temporary halt to the budget process and reopened negotiations within the Tripartite Council.

A number of WCC-DB figures were present at the Sofia protest, including Ivaylo Mirchev, Kiril Petkov, Nikolay Denkov and Ivaylo Shotekov. The crowd held signs reading We do not want a budget without reforms, Weak 2 (F grade) for communication, reforms and vision, We will not let them lie to us, and messages directed against Delyan Peevski. One of the younger attendants, 21-year-old law student Alexander Ivanov, argued that the current budget proposal is unacceptable regardless of the currency and insisted that fresh elections are needed. He also expressed strong criticism of MPs from DPS-New Beginning and called for the removal of what he described as illegitimate deputies.

Another participant, Miroslav Vassilev, said he was attending the protest for a second time. He stated that the issue went beyond the 2026 draft budget and included broader dissatisfaction with figures such as Bayram Bayram in parliament. According to him, citizens must shoulder part of the blame, since they elect the people who govern them. He added that WCC-DB represents a fragile source of hope but warned that this optimism could fade if the political landscape remains unchanged.

Just before 8:00 p.m., musicians from a Kaba Bagpipe ensemble performed for the crowd. Lights from mobile phones soon illuminated the square as chants of Resignation echoed around the Triangle of Power, the Presidency and the Bulgarian National Bank. Demonstrators later moved toward the headquarters of DPS-New Beginning, shouting Shishi out.

Authorities established nine security checkpoints where police screened individuals known from previous protests for aggressive behavior, along with searches for prohibited items such as weapons, pyrotechnics, batons and similar objects. Despite the tight security, the atmosphere in the capital remained calm.

Large gatherings were also reported in Varna and Plovdiv. In Varna, thousands assembled in front of the District Administration to criticize the draft budget and voice frustration over what they described as an absence of reforms and transparency. Protesters, many of them young people, later marched through the city center toward the Municipality building, blocking intersections along the way. Messages on posters included "We are tired of lies and promises", "Weak 2 for communication, reforms and vision", "The face of corruption accompanied by a picture of Delyan Peevski", and "Return the budget from scratch. You have 3 weeks."