President Rumen Radev has requested a referendum on Bulgaria's adoption of the euro.
Therefore, I am submitting to the National Assembly a proposal to hold a national referendum with the question “Do you agree that Bulgaria should adopt the single European currency - the euro, in 2026?”.
The referendum will be a test of the democratic nature of the National Assembly and will show who follows the principles of democracy and who denies Bulgarians the right to determine their future. The referendum will be a healing one for Bulgarian democracy, the head of state pointed out.
“Dear compatriots, today we celebrate the day of a United Europe, in whose foundation democracy and the free will of citizens are firmly established. Bulgaria, as a full member of the European Union, is faced with a strategic decision - the introduction of the single European currency. In less than a month, the extraordinary report on Bulgaria's readiness for the eurozone will be announced. There is no consensus in Bulgarian society about our readiness, nor about the date of adoption. There are contradictory assessments at all levels of the social pyramid - in the political class, in expert circles and among citizens. Inflation, the crisis of confidence in the political class, the lack of clear organization and convincing actions by the government to guarantee the purchasing power of citizens and the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy bring tension to the processes surrounding the introduction of the euro”.
This was pointed out by Rumen Radev.
„However, what is missing most is respect for the basic principles of democracy when making such an important decision. Institutions with critically low legitimacy make strategic decisions about our common future without listening to the opinions of citizens.
As President, I am convinced that the adoption of the single European currency can and should be achieved with a convincing national consensus. With the inner conviction of the people, and not with a dismissive disregard for their will. Every Bulgarian citizen has the right to decide about their money, their well-being and their future.
Therefore, I am submitting to the National Assembly a proposal to hold a national referendum with the question “Do you agree that Bulgaria should adopt the single European currency – the euro, in 2026?”
The referendum will be a test of the democratic nature of the National Assembly and will show who follows the principles of democracy and who denies Bulgarians the right to determine their future. The referendum will be a healing one for Bulgarian democracy.
It will give the people a voice and will allow all arguments "for" and "against" to be heard. It will also give the political class the opportunity to restore dialogue with voters and fight for their trust. Trust that it has lost in recent years. The national referendum will bring thousands of Bulgarians back to the polls, the president announced.