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)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jake Bauers delivered the Brewers' third RBI single of the ninth inning with two outs, and Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night to stay alone atop the National League standings.

Los Angeles entered the ninth with a 4-2 lead, but Edwin Diaz (2-2) gave up four straight one-out singles, including run-scoring hits by Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell. The majors’ highest-paid closer has blown saves in three of his last four appearances, with his ERA ballooning to 11.57.

Alex Vesia relieved Diaz, but Chourio scored on a bouncing single by Bauers, a Huntington Beach native.

DL Hall (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief, and Trevor Megill threw a perfect ninth for his 22nd save as the Brewers dramatically rebounded late in their first game since getting swept by the surging San Diego Padres.

The comeback victory kept Milwaukee (75-47) two games ahead of Los Angeles (73-49), which had won four of five after a seven-game skid.

Pinch-hitter Max Muncy crushed a three-run shot in the sixth inning to become the top home run hitter in Dodger Stadium history, but Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak ended with another concerning bullpen meltdown.

Muncy’s 131st homer at Chavez Ravine was a 426-foot drive to center field that broke Eric Karros’ franchise record for the majors’ third-oldest ballpark.

Roki Sasaki pitched six innings of four-hit ball, but he also issued five walks, including two with the bases loaded in a rocky fourth inning.

Shane Drohan yielded three runs on three hits and three walks while pitching into the sixth for Milwaukee.

Freddie Freeman didn't take a day off after his frightening fall into the visitors' dugout Wednesday while chasing a foul popup, going 0 for 3 with a walk.

World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Dodgers on Friday against Robert Gasser (3-4, 4.57) and the Brewers.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Kiké Hernández throws out Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers at first during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas, left, scores on a single by Ben Rortvedt as Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras tries to tag him without the ball after missing the throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Shane Drohan throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)