Mass Protests

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stepped down late Wednesday after huge crowds filled central Sofia and other cities demanding his government quit over corruption concerns. His resignation came just hours before a scheduled no-confidence vote in parliament and less than three weeks before Bulgaria is set to adopt the euro.

The move followed days of swelling demonstrations against his minority centre-right administration, which took office in January. Protesters accused the government of protecting powerful political figures and business interests, and of failing to tackle long-standing graft.

In a televised address, Zhelyazkov said he was responding to the clear message sent …