On 8 July, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed strong support for Bulgaria’s application to adopt the Euro and join the Eurozone on 1 January 2026. This decision comes in the context of recent protests in Bulgaria, where numerous citizens have voiced their opposition to joining the Eurozone, influenced mainly by the pro-Russian far-right Revival party.
The Parliament’s vote concluded with 531 members in favour, 69 against, and 79 abstentions, affirming that Bulgaria meets the necessary criteria for Euro adoption. Following approval from EU member states, Bulgaria is poised to become the 21st member of the Eurozone, with Croatia having joined in 2023. The favourable opinion from the Parliament will be communicated to member states of the Eurozone, which are expected to provide Bulgaria with final approval later today.
“Today’s vote sends a clear signal: Bulgaria is ready to join the Euro area. All criteria have been met, and this step marks a key milestone towards Bulgaria’s full European integration – for the country and its citizens,” said rapporteur Eva Maydell (EPP, BG).
[© European Union 2025 – Source : EP-187982C Photographer:Philippe STIRNWEISS]
Protests against the adoption of the Euro have been a recurring theme in Bulgaria, highlighted by a significant demonstration on 28 June in Sofia, where thousands gathered to express their concerns. Opponents of the Euro argue that it would be preferable to retain the Bulgarian lev.
A disinformation campaign has been circulated by those opposing Euro integration, claiming that it could lead to increased poverty in Bulgaria. Nonetheless, experts have indicated that short-term impacts will be minimal, given that the Bulgarian lev is currently pegged to the Euro by law.
Earlier this year, on 22 February, there were troubling incidents where members of the Revival party incited a protest that escalated into an attack on the EU mission building in Sofia. This situation is particularly concerning, as the Revival party holds three seats in the European Parliament.
The attack on EU facilities, instigated by members of the Revival party, resulted in significant damage and has drawn condemnation from the government, which affirmed that such behaviour is unacceptable and contradicts the principles of the rule of law.
“Outrageous scenes in Sofia where our EU office has been vandalised. In Europe, we exercise the right to demonstrate in a peaceful way. Violence and vandalism are never the answer,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X.
The Revival party has also sought to form relationships with other far-right movements, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD). On 11 July 2024, the AfD convened far-right factions in the European Parliament to establish the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group, to which Revival was among the first to join.
Revival has characterised the preparation for Euro adoption as an infringement of freedom, accusing the central bank and national statistics agency of misrepresenting data to facilitate the introduction of the Euro.
Although Marine Le Pen has excluded ESN members from her new group, the Patriots for Europe (PfE), there have been recent indications of a willingness from PfE members to collaborate with the AfD and other ESN members. Hermann Tertsch, an MEP from the Spanish far-right Vox party and vice-president of PfE, has made efforts to bridge differences between Le Pen’s group and the ESN, effectively providing support for the Revival party’s stance against the transition from the Bulgarian lev to the Euro.
Tertsch replied to von der Leyen’s declaration with a shameful post on X:
“No message for the victims of the murderers among illegal immigrants that YOU, with your party and socialists and communists, promote. No moral outrage for the killings provoked by your anti national open borders policy. But very angry because some Bulgarians have smeared some paint in the EU woke embassy.”
