Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets in Sofia and other major cities on Saturday to oppose the government’s plan to replace the lev with the euro, a key step in the country’s deeper integration into the European Union.
The new Bulgarian government, formed last month, has made eurozone membership a key priority, aiming to strengthen Bulgaria’s position in the EU. However, opposition parties and protesters want a national referendum before making such a major change.
“Revival Bulgaria has the will of the people, and that will now says clearly: we do not want the Bulgarian lev destroyed,” said Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Revival party. “We want to preserve Bulgaria’s freedom, and that’s why we demand a referendum.”
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has also pushed for a referendum, citing concerns over inflation and the impact on vulnerable groups. He recently submitted a request to parliament to hold the vote, but the pro-EU majority rejected it, accusing Radev of acting under Russian influence.
Economic worries are heightened by recent reports that Bulgaria’s inflation is still too high for euro adoption, according to the European Central Bank. This delay has added to public anxiety over the timing and effects of joining the eurozone.
Currently, seven EU countries—including Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland—have not adopted the euro. While Denmark has an opt-out, the others are expected to join once they meet strict economic criteria.
Many Bulgarians, especially in rural areas, remain skeptical of the euro, fearing it will hurt their purchasing power and livelihoods.
As Bulgaria awaits Brussels’ decision expected in June, the debate over the lev versus the euro continues to shape the nation’s political and economic landscape.
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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Israel has reopened its airspace briefly and plans to expand rescue flights to help tens of thousands stranded by widespread cancellations following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
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The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an emergency Board of Governors meeting today after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra supports the U.S. strike on Iran and calls for de-escalation and diplomacy.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
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