The European Union has approved Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone from January 1, 2026, brushing aside mounting domestic resistance and economic concerns. Despite widespread unease among Bulgarians—nearly half of whom oppose the move, fearing inflation and loss of sovereignty—Brussels hailed it as a “historic moment.”
The European Commission and European Central Bank claim Sofia has met the technical criteria, though the country only narrowly passed the inflation benchmark. Critics argue this bureaucratic green light ignores Bulgaria’s real economic fragility and political instability, with seven elections in just three years.
For many Bulgarians, giving up the lev is seen as surrendering a vital symbol of national identity and financial control. “If Bulgaria joins the eurozone, it will be like boarding the Titanic,” said retired official Nikolai Ivanov at a recent protest.
Eurocrats insist the move will bring prosperity, but their promises have worn thin across Europe. Previous eurozone accessions—like Croatia and Greece—led to soaring prices and long-term hardship for ordinary people.
Once again, the EU’s federalist agenda appears to trump democratic sentiment. Final approval by EU finance ministers is expected in July, despite Bulgaria’s deepening discontent with being dragged ever deeper into Brussels’ centralised economic project.
