New Delhi, Dec. 21 -- Tens of thousands of people on Thursday filled the streets of Bulgaria's capital and other major cities in the country, calling for a fair election and an independent judiciary able to effectively fight widespread corruption.

The demonstrations in Sofia and elsewhere came after last week's protests sparked by the government's budget plans for higher taxes and spending increases. The government later withdrew the contentious 2026 budget plan, but eventually bowed to people's demands and stepped down.

The latest developments are leaving the European Union member country without a budget for next year and without a regular government, just before Bulgaria is set to join the eurozone.

Now, President Rumen Radev is exp...