Bulgaria's government resigns amid protests From Claudia Rebaza and Carol Jordan, CNN February 20, 2013 -- Updated 1506 GMT (2306 HKT) Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov leaves parliament in Sofia on Wednesday after announcing his government's resignation. NEW: Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's government has resigned from office NEW: Parliament is expected to vote on whether to accept the resignation Thursday Bulgaria has been roiled by public protests for more than a week (CNN) -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov tendered his government's resignation Wednesday after eight days of nationwide protests over high energy bills, his office said. Parliament will vote Thursday on whether to accept the Cabinet's resignation, the government said. If it is accepted, the president will announce an election date. "We will perform our functions until the election of a new Cabinet and we will do everything possible to ensure continuity," Borisov said in the formal resignation letter read to parliament, according to the Bulgarian News Agency. The government has done its best to respond to the protesters' demands, the news agency quoted Borisov as saying. Borisov, who has been prime minister since 2009, earlier told lawmakers his GERB party would not be part of a caretaker government. Why Bulgaria? CNN's Christine Theodorou and Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report. February 20, 2013 -- Updated 1258 GMT (2058 HKT)