There is simply a heated debate in Bulgaria about the adoption of the euro. The opposition parties – Rebirth and Size – request a nationwide referendum on this issue. They say that specified an crucial decision cannot be made without the participation of citizens.
The authorities are heading straight towards the euro, citing the obligations arising from membership of the European Union. The opposition alarms: it is the omission of the voice of the nation and the threat to the sovereignty of the country.
The revival, the loudest anti-European vote in the Bulgarian parliament today, won 33 seats in the 240-member National Assembly in the last election. This is the 3rd political force in the country – a organization that combines nationalist, Eurosceptic and anti-system rhetoric. Although formally in opposition, her actions have a crucial impact on public opinion. It has been holding protests against the euro for months and has called for widespread opposition to EU mechanisms.
Size is simply a fresh but rapidly increasing player on the political stage. Although initially not exceeding the electoral threshold, after the intervention of the Constitutional Court, the organization entered parliament with 10 seats. It is besides in opposition and is working closely with the Revival, peculiarly on monetary policy and relations with the European Union. The 2 parties together present have 43 mandates and represent a tight opposition force, criticizing the government of Żelijazkow for being besides submissive to Brussels.
When the government officially confirmed that Bulgaria could join the euro area as early as 1 January 2026, The revival considered it crossing the red line. The organization leader announced a referendum initiative and called on citizens to protest. Furthermore, representatives of the Revival took part in the demonstration in Brussels, in front of the building of the European Parliament, to argue further integration without the democratic consent of the nation. The size supported these actions by sending its own representatives to the Belgian capital.
Both parties not only argue the euro, but besides actively effort to influence the course of events in parliament. In April of the current year, they jointly applied for a vote of distrust against the government – although it was yet rejected, their action was a clear signal of political resistance. They argued that the government has no social mandate to hold euro talks in closed cabinets.
Although their numbers do not let them to take power, their social influence increases. The euro has divided Bulgaria - on the 1 hand, we have the European Commission and the European Central Bank, which have given green light in the convergence reports and, on the another hand, a crucial proportion of citizens who are afraid of rising prices, falling savings and losing control of the economy.
The forthcoming economical and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) is expected to bring final decisions on Bulgaria's entry into the euro area. Meanwhile, Rebirth and Magnificence do not intend to stay silent – they announce further protests, further parliamentary proposals and further opposition to what they call "the silent submission of Brussels". This is not only a conflict for currency, but besides for the political direction of the full country.
