Bulgaria Govt Resigns Amid Mass Protests Ahead of Eurozone Entry

• Bulgaria's government resigned amidst intensifying nationwide protests, less than a month before its scheduled eurozone entry.
• The protests were triggered by a proposed 2026 draft budget, which critics claimed concealed widespread corruption, though the budget was later withdrawn.
• Tens of thousands of Bulgarians rallied, accusing officials of deep-rooted corruption and demanding the center-right government's resignation.
• A central point of frustration for protesters is the influence of sanctioned oligarch Delyan Peevski, whose party supports the government.
• Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro on January 1st, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone.

Why It Matters: Political instability in Bulgaria jeopardizes its eurozone entry.