Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against what they perceive as the failure of their country’s minority government to address rampant corruption in the European Union’s poorest member state.
The demonstrations have swept across Sofia and other Bulgarian towns just ahead of the nation’s euro adoption on January 1. Protesters used laser lights to project demands for resignation and fair elections on the parliament building.
Despite the recent withdrawal of the budget plan amid ongoing protests, Bulgaria’s political atmosphere remains tense with divisions deepened by upcoming no-confidence votes and reform demands.