Bulgaria's government withdraws 2026 draft budget after protests

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows protesters gathering during a demonstration organised by Bulgaria’s opposition PP-DB coalition against the proposed financial framework of the country's budget, outside the parliament, in Sofia, Bulgaria, December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Spasiyana Sergieva/File Photo

SOFIA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's government on Tuesday withdrew its 2026 budget plan, the first drafted in euros before the European Union member state adopts the currency on January 1, following nationwide protests against planned tax hikes to finance higher spending.

The minority government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov asked parliament in a statement to withdraw the budget.