Bulgarians protest widespread graft and call for a fair election

Tens of thousands of people have filled the streets of the capital and other major cities in Bulgaria calling for fair elections and an independent judiciary able to effectively fight widespread corruption. The demonstrations on Thursday came after last week’s protests sparked by the government’s budget plans for higher taxes and spending increases. The government later withdrew the contentious 2026 budget plan but eventually bowed to people’s demands and stepped down. The latest developments that are leaving the EU member country without a budget for next year and without a regular government just weeks before the country is set to join the eurozone at the start of next year.