The resignation of the president of Bulgaria due to protests: who will become the interim head of state

Rosen Zhelyazkov’s resignation was a response to mass protests in Bulgaria over the 2026 budget and plans for the country’s transition to the euro.

On December 12, the Bulgarian parliament officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, local media reported.

The protests that swept the country were a reaction to economic changes and the intention to switch to the euro, which caused significant dissatisfaction among the population.

Rumen Radev repeatedly criticized Ukraine for the duration of the war, doubting the possibility of Ukrainian victory over Russia, and also blocked the supply of weapons to Ukrainian forces.

After Radev’s resignation, his duties will be temporarily performed by Vice President Iliana Yotova.

The political situation in the country remains tense, and the next steps by the government and parliament will determine how to resolve the crisis and ensure stability.

In addition, on October 12, the Ukrainian-flagged cargo ship EILEEN sank in the Black Sea near the coast of Bulgaria.

To save the sailors, a large rescue operation was organized involving Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Border vessels, warships, and a helicopter of the Bulgarian Navy were used for the search.

The EILEEN vessel reportedly belonged to a Ukrainian company and was built more than 30 years ago. In 2025, it was stopped three times for technical inspections at various ports, and during the last inspection in Ismail, several technical faults were found.