Tension Mounts in Sofia: Thousands Rally Against “Political Repression” as Opposition Leaders Remain Jailed
SOFIA, Bulgaria — November 21, 2025
Bulgaria’s capital has been swept by a fresh wave of political instability this week as thousands of demonstrators gathered in the “Power Triangle”—the symbolic heart of Sofia between the Presidency, Parliament, and Council of Ministers—to protest what they are calling a calculated campaign of political repression.
The protests, spearheaded by the “Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (CC-DB) alliance, were ignited by the continued detention of two high-profile opposition figures: Blagomir Kotsev, the Mayor of Varna, and Nikola Barbutov, the former Deputy Mayor of Sofia.
The Spark: Anti-Corruption Drive or Political Purge?
The unrest stems from a series of arrests executed earlier this year that have now hardened into a prolonged legal standoff. Authorities arrested Kotsev and Barbutov in separate operations, charging them with participating in an organized criminal group, bribery, and misuse of public funds. Prosecutors allege the officials used their positions to influence public procurement contracts in favor of select companies.
However, the opposition fiercely disputes these charges, labeling them a fabrication designed to decapitate the CC-DB leadership.
“This is not justice; this is a warning shot to anyone who dares oppose the status quo,” said Assen Vassilev, co-chair of Continue the Change, speaking to a crowd outside the Palace of Justice. “Today it is the Mayor of Varna; tomorrow it could be any citizen who demands a European standard of law.”
Mayor Running a City from a Cell
In a twist that has drawn international attention, Varna—the country’s third-largest city and maritime capital—is currently being governed from a prison cell. Mayor Blagomir Kotsev has refused to resign, and his legal team has set up a logistical system to shuttle municipal documents to and from his detention facility for signature.
“The administrative paradox we are witnessing is unprecedented,” said legal analyst Maria Stoyanova. “We have a democratically elected mayor trying to sign off on city budgets while sitting in pre-trial detention, denied bail repeatedly despite having a fixed address and public office.”
The Government Stance
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov (GERB) and his conservative-led coalition government have maintained a distance from the judicial proceedings, insisting that the executive branch does not interfere with the judiciary. Government spokespeople have characterized the protests as an attempt to pressure independent courts and obstruct legitimate anti-corruption investigations.
“The rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of their political affiliation,” a government statement read earlier this week. “Immunity from prosecution is not a perk of public office.”
Stakes for 2026
The timing of this unrest is critical. With Bulgaria just weeks away from adopting the Euro on January 1, 2026, the government is desperate to project stability to its European partners. However, the sight of protesters blocking the iconic Yellow Pavements and chanting “Freedom for Blago” threatens to mar the country’s final sprint toward full Eurozone integration.
As the weekend approaches, protest organizers have announced plans to escalate their actions, with a major rally scheduled for Sunday. For now, the standoff remains tense, with the opposition refusing to back down until their colleagues are released, and the government refusing to intervene in what it calls the “sovereign work of the prosecutor’s office.”
