Bulgaria is joining the euro area today 1 January 2026, a stronger foundation for long-term growth and resilience; across Europe the transition will lead to greater economic stability, smoother transactions and stronger integration

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov has resigned after a vote of no confidence in parliament, following a series of mass street protests first against 2026 controversial budget, then scrapped, and lately against alleged corruption of minority centre-right government

Crowds took to the streets in Sofia and other cities on Monday night to protest against centre-right populists governing coalition GERB; the largest protests since the 1990s saw a major presence of young people who organized themselves via TikTok and IG

2026 state budget doubles the dividend tax on private businesses to fund a rise in public-sector wages despite criticisms by the opposition, professional associations and business analysts, widely seen as a way to satisfy loyal voters in the public sector

At forum “Bulgaria on the Threshold of the Eurozone” held at the Boyana Residence in Sofia, ECB President Christine Lagarde and Bulgarian National Bank Governor Dimitar Radev unveiled the design of Bulgaria’s euro banknotes