Bulgarian riot police fired tear gas and pepper spray at thousands of demonstrators in central Sofia as protests against the 2026 draft budget turned violent, with crowds burning garbage, blocking roads and chanting “Resignation” while opposition coalition “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” led calls for top officials to step down. Anger is focused on steep tax hikes, including higher social security contributions and a doubled dividend tax, in a record‑spending budget worth nearly 46% of GDP as Bulgaria prepares to join the eurozone, with many young protesters rallying under banners like “Generation Z is coming – young Bulgaria without mafia.”