SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) - On Saturday, thousands of flag-waving Bulgarians gathered in Sofia and other major cities to express their opposition to government plans to adopt the euro as the country’s official currency. The protesters, comprising civic groups and nationalist parties, demanded a referendum on the proposed transition to the euro, chanting slogans such as “Freedom for the Bulgarian lev” and “The future belongs to sovereign states.” This rally took place just four days before Bulgaria is anticipated to receive approval from Brussels to officially enter the eurozone.
In Sofia, the demonstrators carried flags associated with the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party and displayed a large banner proclaiming, “The battle for the Bulgarian lev is the last battle for Bulgaria.” The protest, marked by an increased police presence, remained peaceful as the authorities monitored the situation closely.
Bulgaria, which joined the European Union in 2007, is among its poorest members, facing persistent instability and economic challenges that have fostered a growing sense of euroscepticism among its 6.4 million citizens. The public's apprehensions have been intensified by disinformation campaigns from both domestic and foreign sources, which have raised fears regarding potential economic changes that could exacerbate poverty.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has echoed the sentiments of the protesters, advocating for a referendum on the euro adoption in light of public worries regarding inflation and diminishing purchasing power. Radev's proposal, however, was rejected by the pro-European majority in parliament. Critics accused the President of serving Moscow’s interests with his last-minute attempt to derail the euro adoption process, amid a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, thereby undermining efforts towards deeper European integration.
The ongoing debate regarding the euro adoption reflects deep-rooted concerns about national sovereignty, economic stability, and the future direction of Bulgaria’s integration into the European Union. The resistance to euro adoption illustrates the complexities of public sentiment in Bulgaria, as many citizens grapple with the implications of changing their currency in a landscape marked by uncertainty and fear of economic repercussions.
The protest on May 31, 2025, serves as a clear indicator of the divisions within Bulgarian society regarding the euro adoption, suggesting that support for the euro is not universally accepted, and many Bulgarians remain loyal to their national currency, the lev.
This protest also highlights a significant socio-political moment in Bulgaria’s history, where issues of identity, sovereignty, and economic security are at the forefront of public discourse, setting the stage for potential future elections and further civic engagement regarding national economic policies.
