Bulgaria awaits green light to adopt the euro amid growing pro-Russian resistance

Bulgaria hopes to receive approval this week to adopt the euro as its official currency. Reports from the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) are expected on Wednesday, which will determine whether Bulgaria is ready for the transition. However, there is significant opposition within the country, particularly from nationalist and pro-Russian groups.

Last weekend, large-scale protests took place in Bulgaria against joining the eurozone. Young Bulgarians prominently displayed Bulgarian and Russian flags to show their resistance. In an earlier protest, a European Commission building in Sofia was even set on fire.

The adoption of the euro has been a contentious issue in Bulgarian politics for years. The country had to implement extensive reforms to address money laundering and high inflation. Due to frequent elections—seven in the past four years—the process has faced significant delays.