Bulgarian Protesters Storm EU Mission to Oppose Euro Adoption

Sofia (Eurotoday) – Several thousand protestors clashed with police while attempting to storm the building of a European Union mission during a demonstration against Bulgaria’s decision to adopt the euro next year.

Most of the protestors were supporters of Bulgaria’s ultra-nationalist Revival party. The anti-government demonstrators chanted “Resignation” and “No to the Euro.” They hurled red paint, firecrackers, and Molotov cocktails at the European Union building in the capital, Sofia. Additionally, they set the front entrance on fire before being dispersed by police.

The government condemned the attack on the European Union buildings, stating that such actions “are unacceptable and contradict the principles of the rule of law.”

Why are Bulgarians protesting against the euro adoption?

The demonstrations began in front of the blank”>European Union country’s central bank, with protestors blank”>burning effigies of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and other officials. Some carried Bulgarian, Soviet Union, or East German flags, while others held placards reading “We don’t Want the Euro.”

We don’t want Bulgarian financial independence to be destroyed. We want to keep the Bulgarian lev,

Kostadin Kostadinov, the Revival party leader, told reporters.

We are here to defend our freedom.

Bulgaria’s latest government, which was sworn in last month following October’s snap election—the seventh in four years—has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to joining the eurozone next year.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has stated that the 2025 state budget will maintain a deficit of nearly 3%, paving the way for the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026.

The Bulgarian population remains divided over the euro’s adoption, with concerns that it could lead to rising prices. Revival, which has accused the central bank and the national statistics agency of “fabricating data” to justify the transition to the euro, has called for a broad public discussion on the economic consequences of its introduction.