Bulgaria, at a crossroads before the euro - Citizens are divided in their opinions
Bulgaria finds itself at a crossroads as the country prepares to adopt the euro, amidst a political crisis, with public opinion sharply divided between the hope for easier integration with Europe and the fear of losing part of its national identity.
On the streets and in the shops of Sofia, the transition is already visible. Prices for everyday goods, from fruit in supermarkets to bottles of wine, are displayed in both Bulgarian leva and euros.
For some, the change represents convenience and progress, such as Veselina Apostovlova, a pensioner from Sofia, who said she was happy that the euro can be used across the EU. "Not only the elderly, but also all young people can travel easily using the euro instead of having to exchange currency," she said.
This sentiment finds echoes in the business community, where Natalia Gadjeva, owner of the Dragomir Estate winery, sees the common currency as a practical step forward.
“This would make business easier for a large part of companies operating in Bulgaria,” she said, adding that the benefit of eliminating currency conversions and improving trade would make operating in the euro zone much easier for them.
However, the move has also sparked fierce opposition. Protesters have taken to the streets, waving Bulgarian flags and holding banners with the euro symbol removed and messages such as: "What do we need the euro for if we lose Bulgaria?"
For opponents like pensioner Emil Ivanov, the issue is deeply personal: "I am against it, firstly because the lev is our national currency," he said. "Secondly, Europe is heading towards destruction, which even the US president (Donald Trump) mentioned in his new national security strategy.
Experts point to practical challenges that are fueling some of the resistance. They criticize the "weak" awareness campaign, noting that people living in remote areas may not be prepared for the change and are vulnerable to misinformation.
Bulgaria has been trying for years to join the common currency, but its accession date has been postponed in part because it failed to meet several vital criteria, particularly inflation.
This time the country met the inflation criterion, as the 12-month rate was 2.7% in April, slightly below the reference value of 2.8%.
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