Hundreds of citizens gathered on Wednesday in front of the Bulgarian National Bank in Sofia to protest against the country’s planned adoption of the euro. The demonstration was organized by the civil association Doyran 2025 and officially registered with the Sofia Municipality.
Participants held banners with slogans including “No to the euro,” “It’s time to be heard, no to the euro,” and “What is the euro for if we lose Bulgaria.” Other signs called for direct democracy through referendums and demanded the preservation of the Bulgarian lev as the national currency.
Despite the protest, traffic in the area continued to flow normally. Police officers were deployed around the square to ensure public order, and no incidents were reported during the gathering.
The protesters argued that adopting the euro could undermine national sovereignty and economic stability. Many expressed fears over rising prices, loss of monetary independence, and insufficient public consultation on a decision they see as fundamental to Bulgaria’s future.
Doyran 2025 also linked its opposition to broader demands for justice and reforms in governance. Organizers said the euro debate reflects deeper frustrations with political elites and what they describe as a lack of accountability and transparency in decision-making.
As part of their demands, the association proposed extending the period of simultaneous use of the lev and the euro. Instead of the planned one-month transition, they are calling for a six-month overlap between the two currencies.
According to the group, this extended period would prevent the immediate destruction of lev banknotes and coins. It would also provide time to organize a national referendum on whether Bulgaria should proceed with adopting the euro.
Doyran 2025 said it has submitted its proposed amendments to the euro adoption law to all parliamentary groups in the National Assembly. The proposals were also sent to President Rumen Radev, urging him to support a public vote on the issue.
Organizers claimed that similar demonstrations were taking place in other cities across Bulgaria. While smaller in scale, these protests reflect what they describe as growing nationwide resistance to euro adoption.
The demonstrations come amid ongoing political uncertainty in Bulgaria. The country has faced repeated elections and caretaker governments in recent years, complicating efforts to pass long-term economic and fiscal policies.
From Brussels, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov addressed the issue while attending the EU–Western Balkans Summit. He expressed confidence that Bulgaria remains on track to join the eurozone as planned.
Zhelyazkov said he did not understand why the National Assembly had initially submitted next year’s budget for consideration only to withdraw it later. He noted that the government’s decision to adopt an extended budget showed it would not pursue policies lacking parliamentary backing.
According to the prime minister, Bulgaria is clearly moving toward new elections. He stressed the need for a stable government with a clear mandate capable of passing a regular budget that reflects citizens’ expectations.
On the planned euro adoption date of January 1, Zhelyazkov said there were no grounds for concern. He emphasized that all necessary preparations, including the Euro Introduction Law and institutional mechanisms, are already in place.
He added that a future caretaker cabinet would be able to use these tools to counter speculation and public fears. In his view, effective communication and enforcement would prevent abuses during the transition period.
Zhelyazkov also highlighted the limitations of an extended, transitional budget. He argued that only a regular budget can provide sufficient flexibility for financing policies and ensure clarity on social payments.
As Bulgaria stands at a political crossroads, the debate over the euro has become a symbol of wider tensions. For supporters, euro adoption represents economic integration and stability within the European Union.
For opponents, it raises concerns about sovereignty, democratic legitimacy, and social impact. With protests continuing and elections looming, the issue is likely to remain central to Bulgaria’s political debate in the months ahead.