Thousands protest in Sofia against Bulgaria’s Euro adoption, demand referendum

Thousands of protesters gathered in Sofia’s central square to voice their opposition to the government’s plan to adopt the euro as Bulgaria’s official currency.

The demonstrators, led by civic groups, nationalist factions, and pro-Russian parties, called for a nationwide referendum on the currency change, expressing fears over losing control of Bulgaria’s financial sovereignty, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

The European Union has approved Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, with the switch from the Bulgarian lev to the euro scheduled for January 1, 2026. However, the planned adoption has sparked fierce resistance among Eurosceptic groups, who accuse the government of pushing through the transition without sufficient public consent.

Protesters have set up a tent camp at the square, naming it the “Town of the lev” in defense of the national currency. A large banner declared, “The battle for the Bulgarian lev is the last battle for Bulgaria,” capturing the protesters’ sentiment.

Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party, addressed the crowd, warning that euro adoption would mean losing control over national finances. “Someone else will decide how we spend our money; the Bulgarian budget will be approved by the European Central Bank,” he said. Kostadinov called the move “an anti-state coup” and “treason.” He also claimed support for the protest from lawmakers in Germany, Lithuania, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Ahead of the demonstration, Vazrazhdane submitted a motion of no confidence against the government, accusing it of failing to stabilize public finances and forcing euro adoption on the population. The no-confidence vote is expected next week, though the pro-EU governing coalition is widely anticipated to remain in power.

Bulgaria has been an EU member since 2007 and is now in the final stages of eurozone accession, with key approvals from the European Parliament and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council expected on July 8. The European Council has also endorsed Bulgaria’s eurozone membership starting in 2026.

Despite nearly 20 years in the EU, political instability and widespread corruption have fueled euroscepticism among Bulgaria’s 6.4 million citizens. Misinformation spread on social media by euro opponents has intensified public fears of economic hardship linked to the currency switch, contributing to ongoing political tensions.

By Khagan Isayev