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)

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams has been the most important player for the Chicago Bears since he was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Sunday was just another example of that.

Returning from a right hamstring injury, Williams led the Bears to a 31-23 win at Atlanta. The third-year quarterback was 30 of 36 for 305 yards and a touchdown.

“I think he just did a good job of taking what the defense gave,” offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Monday. “It didn’t feel like there were forces. ... You’ve watched him mature and grow in the system and he was seeing things well the other night and it just came together pretty well for him in terms of putting the ball in play and putting the ball where our guys were able to do something with it.”

It was Williams' first action since he left in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 20. Case Keenum led Chicago to a 27-7 victory over Philadelphia and Tyson Bagent helped the Bears to a 23-12 win against the New York Jets in the team's first two games after Williams got hurt.

But Bagent and Keenum both struggled in last weekend's 31-7 loss at Green Bay, setting the stage for Williams' return against the Falcons.

“I felt confident from the jump,” Williams said. “Let it rip ... let these guys go make plays for us. Get first downs, touchdowns, all that.”

He sure looked confident.

Williams completed his first 12 passes. According to Next Gen Stats, he was 24 of 24 for 248 yards from a clean pocket. He has completed 72.5% of his passes in three games this season after that number was 58.1% last year.

“To come back and to be on point, to be on rhythm, to be as accurate as he was in his first outing in a while, credit to him,” Taylor said, “credit to the skill guys to be able to get open, be available, be on time, and really be where they’re supposed to be when they are supposed to be there for him.”

Williams' return seemed to help Colston Loveland, who had six receptions for 65 yards and a TD in his best game of the season. The tight end had 13 catches for 110 yards over the first five games.

Special teams made two huge plays in Sunday's win. Josh Blackwell recovered a muffed punt by Zachariah Branch at the Atlanta 10 late in the first half, resulting in D’Andre Swift's 2-yard TD run. Nick McCloud recovered Branch's fumble on a kickoff in the third quarter, leading to Cairo Santos' 50-yard field goal.

Penalties were an issue once again. The Bears were flagged 12 times for a season-high 133 yards, compared to four for 31 yards by the Falcons.

“We had way too many penalties,” Taylor said. “That’s not something we want to live with.”

The Bears were penalized 20 times for 115 yards in their first two games, but they had been better of late. They were flagged three times for 20 yards in the loss at Green Bay.

Kyler Gordon had three sacks and two forced fumbles in his season debut. His late strip-sack on Michael Penix Jr. helped Chicago close out the win.

Gordon opened this season on the physically unable to perform list because of a calf injury. He became the first defensive back to record three sacks in a game for the Bears since Todd Bell on Oct. 2, 1983, against Denver.

“It was exciting to see because I think he did some things that we’ve always felt like that he could do for us,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. “And so, I’ve always thought that there was a way that we could utilize him that he could really help us win games, and he was big in the game this week.”

Rome Odunze had another quiet performance, finishing with three receptions for 39 yards. The third-year wide receiver had just one catch in the second half.

The 24-year-old Odunze has 20 receptions for 312 yards in six games this season. He is looking for his first touchdown after catching six TD passes in 12 games last year.

The Bears didn't provide any substantive injury updates on Monday. Right guard Jonah Jackson left Sunday's win with a hip injury, and his status is particularly noteworthy in the short week before Thursday's game against New England.

13 — The Bears have 13 rushing touchdowns, including three against the Falcons. That is their highest total over the first six games of a season since they also had 13 in 1989.

The Bears play consecutive primetime games against last season's Super Bowl participants, beginning with the matchup with the Patriots at Soldier Field. They visit Seattle on Nov. 2.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, right, hugs Atlanta Falcons cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (33) after the Bears beat the Falcons in an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) scrambles as he is pressured by Atlanta Falcons defensive ends Cameron Thomas (99) and Zach Harrison (96) during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)