Bulgaria’s protests: what just happened and what anti-corruption movements elsewhere can learn? In just two weeks, mass protests in Bulgaria forced the government to resign. This rapid outcome was not accidental. It resulted from a combination of strategic choices that may be relevant far beyond the Bulgarian case. First, the protests focused on shared grievances:…

This morning on national television (bTV) we discussed the ongoing mass protests in Bulgaria. Here are a few key points for an international audience: 1️⃣ Mass protests in Bulgaria are strong and effective.It is the responsibility of political parties to respond to the energy and voices coming from the streets. 2️⃣ This may be the…

Only hours after the mass demonstrations across Bulgaria, the government resigned. Across several conference reports, articles, and chapters, I have argued that protest movements and civil society in Bulgaria are not weak or passive, as the long-standing stereotype suggests, but remarkably powerful. The unresolved challenge remains the same: transforming the grievance and hope expressed on…

When protest turns viral.TikTok has changed the game. Last week, 100,000-150,000 people from diverse backgrounds protested in Bulgaria against the government and the systemic corruption, mobilised mainly through TikTok by influencers, activists, and the opposition. The platform has become a central engine for rapid mass mobilisation. What does this mean for social movement studies? 1.…