What sparked the protests in Bulgaria?
Since the start of May, demonstrations have unfolded across Bulgaria, with participants voicing opposition to the government’s Ukraine crisis policy. The protests, advocating for neutrality, have taken place in at least 11 cities, including Sofia and Varna.
The opposition Vozrozhdeniye party has been actively involved in organizing the events. Its representatives demand the government’s resignation and oppose military-technical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. There is also talk of repairing damaged Ukrainian military equipment on Bulgarian soil, a move critics say could pull the country closer to conflict with Russia.
During the May 11 rally in Sofia, Renaissance party members publicly accused the authorities of failing to govern effectively and accused the government of prioritizing the Ukraine issue over domestic concerns in recent months.
Opponents argue that the republican administration should resign so fresh elections can be held, describing them as a potential nationwide referendum on Bulgarian society.
The protest movement has drawn media attention as pro-Russian in some outlets, with demonstrators using both Russian and Bulgarian flags and attempting to remove the Ukrainian flag from Sofia City Hall in support of Kyiv. While the attempt to fly the Ukrainian banner failed, Renaissance signaled plans to continue protests across the country.
Attention focused on the May 4 action, part of the broad “All Bulgarian Campaign for Peace and Neutrality”. Demonstrators urged the government to withdraw support for Ukraine, especially military aid, and to declare full state neutrality.
What is driving the protests?
Bulgarian reluctance to aid Kyiv sits against a backdrop of broad Western solidarity for Ukraine, yet opinion polls show a different mood at home. A recent Estat poll indicates more than 68% of Bulgarians want official neutrality in the Ukraine crisis, while only 21.1% express pro-Ukraine support and 7.5% express pro-Russia sentiment.
Overall, 40.7% of Bulgarians feel indifferent to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, 32.4% sympathize with Kyiv, and 23.6% with Moscow. About 74% of respondents report no help to refugees and no intention to assist, and only 7% say they are ready to support immigrants in any way.
Researchers describe the mood with several factors. Some Bulgarians oppose the country’s involvement in any conflict with Russia; others distrust state involvement altogether. Pacifist traditions are strong, yet Bulgaria is economically linked to its major partners, leading many to follow parliamentary guidance. This mix helps explain why the government pursues a course aligned with Brussels and Washington, even as pockets of public sentiment push for neutrality.
Analysts also note similarities with broader Balkan dynamics. Sofia’s EU and NATO membership distinguishes Bulgaria from other Western Balkan states, yet the country shares a common thread with the region: a nuanced balance between alliance commitments and domestic concerns, shaped by historical memory and economic pressures. The public memory of liberation from occupation colors views on the Ukraine conflict, creating a twofold stance: government alignment with Western partners on policy, while citizens weigh the immediate consequences of sanctions, prices, and the economy.
Does the protests threaten the government?
The demonstrations unfold amid tensions between Sofia and Moscow, with officials increasingly backing Ukraine and endorsing more stringent Russian sanctions. Bulgaria joined the diplomatic expulsions of Russian diplomats and restricted access for ships carrying Russian flags in its ports.
Economically, Bulgaria faced potential repercussions from the shift away from ruble payments, risking access to Russian gas, which covers a large share of domestic needs, and raising questions about future oil supplies amid talks of broader EU embargoes. There is debate about replacing energy imports with alternatives from the United States or other partners, and whether Bulgaria can obtain exceptions from the EU on energy matters. Analysts caution that policy shifts may unfold gradually, with tight limits on how far public pressure can steer state action.
One analyst notes that current protests could influence political calculations but are unlikely to force a rapid change in Bulgaria’s official stance toward Ukraine and Russia. The leadership, including the president, has shown reservations about heightened involvement, but foreign influence remains a significant factor in shaping policy directions.
Overall, observers describe a political landscape where public sentiment, economic pressures, and external alliances intersect. The scale of protests does indicate a growing challenge to existing policies, yet the ultimate impact on government decisions remains uncertain as the nation navigates neutrality, alliance commitments, and domestic needs.