Sofia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Several thousand protestors scuffled with police while attempting to storm the building of a European Union mission during a protest against the Bulagira’s decision to adopt the euro next year.
Most of the protestors were supporters of Bulgaria’s ultra-nationalist Revival party. The anti-government demonstrators chanted “Resignation” and “No to the Euro.” They threw red paint, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails at the European Union building in the capital, Sofia. Moreover, set the front entrance on fire before the police moved them away.
The government criticized the attack on the Eureopn Union buildings, stating in a statement that such episodes “are unacceptable and contradict the principles of the rule of law”.
Why are Bulgarians protesting against the euro adoption?
The demonstrations started in front of the European Union country’s central bank, with demonstrators setting models of European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and other officials on fire. Some carried Bulgarian, Soviet Union or East German flags, while others held placards reading “We don’t Want the Euro”.
We don’t want Bulgarian financial independence to be destroyed. We want to keep the Bulgarian lev,
Kostadin Kostadinov, the Revival party leader, briefed the media.
We are here to defend our freedom.
Bulgaria’s latest government, which was ratified last month after October’s snap election, the seventh in four years, has reiterated the country’s dedication to joining the eurozone next year.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has stated the 2025 state budget will put a deficit of nearly 3%, paving the way for the intro of the euro on January 1, 2026.
The Bulgarian people are divided over the introduction of the euro. The fear is that prices will skyrocket. Revival, which has blamed the central bank and the national statistics agency for “fabricating data” to allow the introduction of the euro, has asked for a wide public discussion on the economic consequences of its introduction.
