Bulgarian government resigns after mass anti-corruption protests

Prime minister makes announcement before parliament vote on no-confidence motion filed by opposition

Bulgaria's prime minister has handed in his government's resignation after less than a year in office following weeks of mass street protests over its economic policies and perceived failure to tackle corruption.

Rosen Zhelyazkov announced his resignation on television shortly before parliament had been due to vote on a no-confidence motion submitted by the opposition and before the country is due to join the eurozone on 1 January.