"The last battle for Bulgaria': protests over euro adoption

Days before Bulgaria is expected to become the 21st member of the eurozone, opponents of the move have geared up for a final battle to change the schedule.

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Thousands of protesters gathered in a central square in Sofia on Saturday to protest against government plans to adopt the euro and to demand a referendum on the new currency. The European Union has given the green light for Bulgaria to adopt the euro from 1 January 2026.

The protesters, led by civic groups, nationalist and pro-Russian parties known for their opposition to the euro, declared that after the rally they intended to set up a tent camp on the square, dubbed “Town of the lev”, after the name of the national currency. Speakers hung a huge banner on a platform that read “The battle for the Bulgarian lev is the last battle for Bulgaria.”