Tens of thousands join anti-government protests across Bulgaria

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Tens of thousands joined the latest massive protests across Bulgaria on Wednesday, accusing the government of widespread corruption and underscoring political rifts just weeks before the country is to join European nations that use the euro as the official currency at the start of next year.

The demonstrations came after last week’s protests that were sparked by the government’s budget plans for higher taxes, increased social security contributions and spending increases. The government later withdrew the controversial 2026 budget plan.

The protesters' demands have since expanded to include calls for the center-right government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to resign.

In the capital, Sofia, protesters gathered on a central square where the parliament, the government and the presidency buildings are located. Chanting “Resignation” and “Mafia,” they called on Zhelyazkov's minority coalition Cabinet to step down.

Students from Sofia's universities joined the protests, which organizers said outnumbered last week's rallies that drew over 50,000 people. Media estimates based on drone visuals put the number of protesters at over 100,000.

At the core of the protesters' frustrations is the role of Bulgarian politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by both the United States and Britain, and whose MRF New Beginning party backs the government. Peevski has been accused by opponents of helping shaping government policy in line with oligarchic interests.

No violence was reported and the protests ended peacefully.

Also on Wednesday, the opposition coalition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria called for a no-confidence vote in the government. The vote, the sixth such motion by the opposition, will take place on Thursday.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev wrote on Facebook that Wednesday's demonstrations were in effect a vote of "no confidence in the Cabinet.”

Radev, an opponent of the government who hails from the political left, urged the lawmakers to listen to the people and to “choose between the dignity of free voting and the shame of dependence” when they vote on Thursday.

Bulgaria is soon to become the 21st member of the eurozone, a euro currency union that is a key EU project aimed at deepening ties between member countries. The Balkan country of 6.4 million people is to make the switch from its national currency, the lev, to the euro on Jan. 1.

A student waves a Bulgarian flag as a swelling crowd of tens of thousands of Bulgarians filled Sofia's central square, demanding the government's resignation amid rising anger over corruption and contested economic policies, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Protester raise his fist as as a swelling crowd of tens of thousands of Bulgarians filled Sofia's central square, demanding the government's resignation amid rising anger over corruption and contested economic policies, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

A protester holds a banner as as a swelling crowd of tens of thousands of Bulgarians filled Sofia's central square, demanding the government's resignation amid rising anger over corruption and contested economic policies, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Protesters light their phone's as torches as a swelling crowd of tens of thousands of Bulgarians filled Sofia's central square, demanding the government's resignation amid rising anger over corruption and contested economic policies, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Students wave Bulgarian flag as as a swelling crowd of tens of thousands of Bulgarians filled Sofia's central square, demanding the government's resignation amid rising anger over corruption and contested economic policies, Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan fired football coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday after finding evidence of an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member," a stunning end to his short, up-and-down tenure that saw the Wolverines take a step back on the field after winning the national championship.

“This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” athletic director Warde Manuel said.

The announcement did not include details of the alleged relationship. Moore, who was 8-5 in his debut season and 9-3 this year, did not return a message seeking comment left by The Associated Press. He signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million last year.

College football’s winningest program is suddenly looking for a third coach in four years, shortly after a busy cycle that included Lane Kiffin leaving playoff-bound Ole Miss for LSU.

Moore, the team's former offensive coordinator, was promoted to the lead the Wolverines after they won the 2024 national title to succeed Jim Harbaugh when he returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers. The 18th-ranked Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) are set to play No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl.

Moore, in his second season, was suspended for two games in 2025 as part of self-imposed sanctions for NCAA violations related to a sign-stealing scandal. The NCAA added a third game to the suspension, which were to keep Moore off the sideline for next year’s opener against Western Michigan.

Moore will now miss that game for another reason.

He previously deleted his entire 52 message text thread on his personal phone with former staffer Connor Stalions, who led the team’s sign-sealing operation for the program. The texts were later recovered and shared with the NCAA.

Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season, will serve as the team's interim coach.

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Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)