Bulgaria withdraws 2026 budget proposal following street protests

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s government announced Thursday that it is withdrawing its 2026 draft budget, following street protests at home over steep tax increases included in the budget, and warnings from abroad.

The surprise move was announced by the leader of the ruling center-right GERB party, Boyko Borissov, who asked the government to restore dialogue with employers and labor unions to reach consensus on the state finances. The turmoil surrounding the budget comes as the Balkan country prepares to join the euro currency union next year.

The protests have reflected widespread concern over the budget’s economic impact on individuals and businesses. The disputed budget included increases in social security contributions and the doubling of the dividend tax.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the budget, which had already been approved on a first reading in parliament, will be revised after talks with social partners and opposition parties to iron out its “defects."

“The new budget package should keep things balanced and match the goals of the parties in the government coalition. This will make sure that Bulgaria can join the euro zone on January 1 without any problems,” he said.

Opposition and business groups have warned that higher taxes, increased social security contributions and planned expenditure increases foreseen in the budget could restrain investment and expand the shadow economy.

Earlier this week, the European Commission warned that Bulgaria’s draft budget risked breaking the EU's recommended cap on net expenditure growth, while the International Monetary Fund urged the Balkan country to pursue a tighter fiscal policy.

People have taken to the streets to protest the budget, with the largest protest on Wednesday night. Thousands gathered in front of the parliament to denounce government plans to increase the state pension insurance contribution by 2 percentage points and double the tax on dividends to 10%.

Protesters also demanded full transparency in public spending and criticized record-high government spending of some 46% of GDP planned for next year. Organizers estimated that more than 20,000 people joined the protest.

Opponents of the budget argued that the plan to increase spending would have been financed primarily through higher taxes on businesses and workers, as well as a sharp rise in public debt. They argued this would spur inflation without improving the efficiency of public services.

Protesters whistle and wave Bulgarian flags as thousands took to the streets of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to denounce steep tax hikes in next year's draft budget before being finally voted on in parliament, Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Protesters scuffle with police as thousands took to the streets of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to denounce steep tax hikes in next year's draft budget before being finally voted on in parliament, Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

A young protester shouts anti-government slogans as thousands took to the streets of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to denounce steep tax hikes in next year's draft budget before being finally voted on in parliament, Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Protester stands on top of a police vehicle as thousands took the streets of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to denounce steep tax hikes in next year's draft budget before being finally voted on in parliament, Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter, and New England's defense roughed up Justin Herbert as the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in an AFC wild-card playoff game on Sunday night.

Andy Borregales kicked three field goals for the Patriots (15-3), who won a playoff game for the first time since their Super Bowl victory to cap the 2018 season. They’ll host the winner of Monday night’s game between Pittsburgh and Houston in the divisional round.

In his first career playoff game, Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and ran for a team-high 66 yards. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble, but the Chargers (11-7) couldn't capitalize on those turnovers.

New England held the Chargers to 207 yards of offense and sacked Herbert six times, with one of those resulting in a lost fumble that set up the Patriots' TD.

“How about our defense, man? Congrats to the defense,” Maye said. “What a night. It was so fun to watch.”

This is the second straight season in which the Chargers have lost in the wild-card round. Herbert finished 19 of 31 for 159 yards and was his team's leading rusher with 57 yards as he fell to 0-3 in the playoffs.

The Chargers last failed to score a TD in a playoff game in their 21-12 AFC championship game loss to the Patriots during the 2007 season.

The Patriots drove into the red zone on their first possession of the third quarter, but the drive ended when Maye was strip-sacked by Odafe Oweh and De'Shawn Hand recovered for the Chargers.

After Los Angeles punted, Maye connected on a pass to Kayshon Boutte that went for 42 yards to set the Patriots up on the Chargers 27. But New England settled for a 39-yard field goal that stretched their lead to 9-3.

Early in the fourth quarter, Maye used a 16-yard pass to Boutte and a 13-yard burst by Rhamondre Stevenson to set up his precise 28-yard TD toss to Henry that put the Patriots in front 16-3.

The Chargers picked up back-to-back first downs to open their ensuing drive. But when Herbert dropped back to pass on the next play, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson strip-sacked him and fell on loose ball.

Los Angeles had one final possession, but it ended with Herbert getting sacked by Milton Williams on fourth down.

The opening quarter had lots of action, but it took until early in the second quarter for the Patriots to end a scoreless stalemate.

With New England pinned inside its own 10 after a Chargers punt, Maye had a pass intended for Austin Hooper tipped by Teair Tart and intercepted by Daiyan Henley.

Los Angeles started with the ball on the Patriots 10 but was stopped on fourth-and-2 when Herbert misfired a pass to Keenan Allen.

The Patriots took over and got some breathing room via a 48-yard catch-and-run by Stevenson.

Thirteen plays and a fourth-down conversion later, the drive ended with Borregales' 23-yard field goal.

Patriots: CB Carlton Davis left in the first half with a toe injury but returned. ... CB Christian Gonzalez left in the second half with a head injury.

Chargers: End of season.

Patriots: Host either Houston or Pittsburgh next Sunday.

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New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97), linebacker Christian Elliss (53) and linebacker Robert Spillane (14) celebrate Williams' sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, avoids a tackle by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) celebrates a tackle in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings, rear, in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) avoids a tackle by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)