Politics Protest against the euro in Bulgaria - fire outside EU representation
Nationalists in Bulgaria have set fire to the entrance of the EU representation in Sofia in protest against the planned introduction of the euro. They also poured red paint on the glass façade of the building in the center of the capital. They threw Molotov cocktails and eggs. The police reported that six demonstrators were arrested and ten police officers were injured.
22.02.2025, 18:01
SDA
The government in Sofia condemned the riots. The coalition cabinet that has been in office since January is working towards the Balkan country joining the eurozone on January 1, 2026. Bulgaria has been a member of the EU since 2007.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her outrage at the incidents. She wrote of "outrageous scenes in Sofia" on Platform X. "In Europe, we exercise the right to demonstrate peacefully. Violence and vandalism are never the answer."
"No to the euro", chanted supporters of the pro-Russian nationalist opposition party Vasrashdane (Rebirth) earlier at a protest rally in front of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). Vasrashdane accuses the National Bank of falsifying data in order to facilitate the introduction of the euro. With the introduction of the euro, Bulgaria would lose its national sovereignty, the party complains.
Nationalists call for referendum on the national currency
Wasraschdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov called for a referendum on the preservation of the Bulgarian national currency, the lev (German: lion). He recalled that 604,000 signatures had been collected for a referendum on the issue. However, the Bulgarian parliament had rejected a referendum on the currency issue in 2023.
According to an opinion poll conducted by the Bulgarian institute Mjara at the end of January, more than half of adults (57.1%) are "in principle" against the introduction of the euro, with 39% in favor. Only 25.7 percent are in favor of joining the eurozone in 2026.
"If our right to vote is trampled on, we have no choice but to resist," said Kostadinov. The Wasrashdane leader had already threatened arson. He called for further protests next Wednesday.
