Bulgarians remain deeply divided over the country’s potential entry into the eurozone, with recent data revealing a near-even split in public opinion.
According to the latest “Standard Eurobarometer” report for Bulgaria, conducted between October 11 and November 1, 46% of Bulgarians support joining the eurozone, while an equal 46% oppose it.
This marks a 9-point increase in favor of the eurozone compared to previous data, signaling growing interest in adopting the euro as the national currency.
Despite this shift in sentiment, the country remains split on the matter. In contrast, support for the eurozone across the European Union stands at a far higher 74%.
While there has been a rise in pro-eurozone sentiment in Bulgaria, the nation’s ambivalence underscores the complexities of the issue.
The report highlights that two-thirds of Bulgarians view the ability to move freely across the EU as the greatest benefit of membership.
This sentiment is reflected in an overwhelming 85% of Bulgarians who support the principle of free movement, slightly exceeding the EU average of 84%.
This widespread endorsement of free movement suggests that while Bulgarians may have mixed feelings about adopting the euro, they overwhelmingly support their nation’s position within the EU.
In terms of general attitudes toward the EU, Bulgaria’s outlook is more favorable than the EU average. While 52% of Bulgarians view the European Union positively, this figure surpasses the EU-wide average of 44%.
This suggests that Bulgarians feel a relatively strong connection to the EU, despite lingering concerns about certain policies, such as the potential introduction of the euro.
The report also touches on Bulgaria’s stance on international security, with a significant number of Bulgarians expressing concern about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Roughly half of Bulgarians perceive the conflict as a direct threat to both Bulgaria and the EU. Despite this concern, Bulgaria’s support for military aid to Ukraine remains one of the lowest in the EU, with only 26% of respondents in favor of sending military assistance.
However, a much stronger majority, 75%, support providing humanitarian aid to the victims of the war.
In the context of European defense, a majority of Bulgarians – 54% – believe that the EU should increase its capacity to produce military equipment.
While this is an important issue, it is still lower than the EU average of 69%. Additionally, there is a broad consensus in Bulgaria that the country should invest more in defense spending, reflecting growing concerns about national security in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
At the national level, the primary concerns of Bulgarians are inflation (46%), followed by the broader economic situation (28%) and international relations (18%).
The growing pressure of inflation and economic uncertainty highlights the complex domestic landscape in which discussions on eurozone membership and EU policies are taking place.
As Bulgaria grapples with its position on the eurozone, the latest Eurobarometer report reflects the ongoing tension between rising EU support and economic apprehensions.
While Bulgarians value their EU membership and its benefits, the road to adopting the euro remains a contentious issue.