SOFIA, June 6 — Hundreds of Bulgarians rallied in front of the National Assembly and the Bulgarian National Bank on Thursday morning to protest the country’s proposed adoption of the euro, forming a human chain in a show of defiance against what they describe as a loss of national sovereignty.
The protest, organized primarily by the nationalist party “Vazrazhdane” (Revival), was the latest in a series of public demonstrations aimed at halting Bulgaria’s transition from the national currency, the lev, to the euro.
The government has set January 1, 2026, as the target date for euro adoption, but protesters are calling for a complete reversal of that plan.
A heavy police presence was seen in central Sofia, particularly around the so-called “triangle of power,” the area encompassing the Parliament, the Council of Ministers, and the Presidency.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m., protesters managed to form a human chain around the National Assembly, temporarily preventing entry and exit. Organizers declared the move symbolic of their intent to “block treason from being legislated.”
“This protest is a patriotic duty,” said Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of “Vazrazhdane,” who called for today’s demonstration during a previous rally held on Saturday.
“The Bulgarian lev is more than just a currency. It is a symbol of our statehood and our independence. Adopting the euro would surrender our monetary policy to foreign interests.”
Lawmakers from the MECH party also joined the demonstrators, reinforcing the political undertone of the event. Protesters waved Bulgarian flags and chanted slogans such as “Bulgaria above all” and “No to the euro.”
Many held placards demanding a national referendum before any formal adoption of the common European currency.
Although the demonstration remained largely peaceful, tensions ran high at times, with police forming cordons to prevent protesters from breaching the parliamentary entrance. Officers were also deployed to key intersections to redirect traffic, causing significant congestion in the downtown area.
Critics of the euro adoption argue that the transition would erode Bulgaria’s financial independence, increase inflation, and expose the country to fiscal instability linked to other eurozone members. Supporters, however, see it as a natural step in Bulgaria’s integration with the European Union, which the country joined in 2007.
The Bulgarian National Bank has insisted that technical preparations are progressing and that adoption of the euro would strengthen the economy in the long term.
Nevertheless, the government faces growing pressure to hold a public vote, as trust in political institutions continues to erode.
Today’s protest marks one of the most coordinated acts of civil resistance against euro adoption to date and comes amid broader concerns about democratic accountability in Bulgaria. Whether the government will respond with concessions or hold firm on its euro plans remains to be seen.
For now, the streets of Sofia echo with the voices of citizens who believe that protecting the lev is synonymous with protecting Bulgaria’s national identity.