Euro Referendum Rejected

Euro Referendum Rejected

Bulgaria

On Monday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev proposed a national referendum on whether the country should adopt the euro in 2026. The following day, Parliament Chair Nataliya Kiselova dismissed the proposal as unconstitutional, prompting strong reactions across the political spectrum, CE Report quotes BTA

President Radev criticized the decision as undermining public trust in institutions and called it a step away from democratic values. Vice President Iliana Iotova also supported the referendum, warning against the “desecration” of the Bulgarian lev.

Parliamentary leaders from GERB, MRF, and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria defended Kiselova’s decision, citing constitutional grounds. GERB leader Boyko Borissov confirmed Parliament will not consider the proposal, while CC-DB's Nikolay Denkov emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures.

Opposition party Vazrazhdane called for Kiselova’s resignation and announced plans to collect signatures in Parliament to force the motion. Meanwhile, Velichie accused Borissov and MRF’s Delyan Peevski of influencing the Chair's actions.

Despite the political divide, Bulgaria’s banking sector and major employer groups declared full support for euro adoption by January 1, 2026, reaffirming the country’s technical readiness.

Tags

Related articles

Kozloduy Unit 6 Shut Down for Maintenance
Unit 6 of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant was shut down on Thursday for planned maintenance due to a heat carrier leak in the third steam generator, the plant’s press centre confirmed.
Bulgaria Boosts Wildfire Response
Bulgaria has doubled its firefighting capacity at Krumovo Air Base over the past year, both in terms of aircraft and trained personnel, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced during a visit on Thursday.
Lyuba Tomova Finalist in Goethe Poster Contest
Bulgarian artist Lyuba Tomova has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe International Poster Competition, organized by the German literary department Daarvak.
Radev Honors U19 Volleyball Champions
President Rumen Radev on Thursday presented the Presidential Honorary Plaque to Bulgaria’s national under-19 women’s volleyball team in recognition of their victory at the 2025 FIVB U19 World Championship and their contribution to Bulgarian sport.
H.M.S.U. Festival Brings Global Drum & Bass to Sofia
The 25th Hard Music and Sounds United (H.M.S.U.) Summer Festival will take place on July 19–20 in Sofia’s Borisova Gradina Park, organizers from Fest Team announced Wednesday.
Bulgaria Hails U19 Volleyball Champions
National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova welcomed Bulgaria’s U19 women’s volleyball team to Parliament on Wednesday, calling it “one of the most joyful days” of her life.
Protest in Ruse Against Judicial Abuse
A protest titled “Against the Truncheons of Power, Political Repression, and Creeping Dictatorship” took place Wednesday outside the Palace of Justice in Ruse.
Plovdiv Hosts 29th International Folklore Festival
The 29th International Folklore Festival will take place from July 28 to August 1 at the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv, the municipality announced Wednesday.
Bulgaria PM Seeks Clarity on Inflation Figures
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has asked Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova to clarify recent inflation data at the start of Wednesday’s Council of Ministers meeting.
BNT Director Vote Fails Again, New Election Set
The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) has launched a new procedure to elect a director general of Bulgarian National Television (BNT), after none of the eight candidates secured the minimum required votes in Tuesday's sessions.
Bansko Rock Fest 2025 Set for July 17–19
The Bansko Rock Fest 2025 will take place from July 17 to 19 in the mountain resort of Bansko, the Town Hall announced.
Bulgarian Correspondent Welcomed in Ankara
Anadolu Agency Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan welcomed Ayse Sali, the new Ankara correspondent of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), at an event on Monday.