After the president's initiative for a referendum on the euro, we see mobilization in the government and institutions – NRA, CPC, CPC are already sending a clear signal to business not to allow speculation, former Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev told NOVA NEWS.
Stanishev, under whose leadership Bulgaria became a member of the European Union in 2007, expressed moderate optimism about the expected accession to the Eurozone from January 1, 2026:
„The Eurozone is the core of the European Union. For a country like Bulgaria – geographically and economically peripheral – "It is vital to be part of this core," he stressed.
According to Stanishev, this transition also brings real benefits to citizens: lower interest rates on loans, an increase in property values, and accelerated economic convergence with other eurozone countries.
Stanishev acknowledged that there are real fears among society that should not be ignored:
“Fears about price increases are justified – inflation is a fact. The government must act. It is good that after the president's initiative for a referendum we see mobilization – the National Revenue Agency, the Competition Commission, and the Competition Commission are already sending a clear signal to business not to allow speculation.“
However, he also warned against speculation and myths – for example, that after the adoption of the euro, it will not be possible to pay in cash, emphasizing that an honest and clear explanation of the facts is needed before the public.
According to Stanishev, the European Union is no longer the idealized image that Bulgarians had before accession, but remains the best possible choice:
“The EU has gone through crises - financial, COVID, the war in Ukraine. And yet, Europe remains a project of peace, justice and the welfare state. But to remain so, it needs serious renewal. The EU is lagging behind China and the US economically and needs to catch up in investments, innovations and technologies“.
Stanyshev stressed that populism in Europe is growing precisely because political elites have not responded convincingly enough to people's fears and insecurities:
“If young people believe that they will live worse than their parents, then politicians have not done their job“, he said.
According to him, the new technological revolution - digitalization, artificial intelligence, green transition - requires leaders with imagination and historical memory:
“We should not hide from dynamics, but look for solutions. Peace is not a given - and security is not only armament, but also diplomacy. History should teach us“.
Stanishev did not spare criticism of his own party:
„I did not think that the BSP should enter this coalition. But after it did, there should have been clear demands and policies, and that did not happen. And yet, now there is a chance for the government to consolidate around a national goal - entry into the eurozone.“
He reminded that the BSP has had an official decision in support of eurozone membership since 2017, and defined President Rumen Radev's actions regarding the referendum as having had a “mobilizing effect“, although with possible political motives:
„No one can get inside the president's head. But the result is that the government woke up. God forbid it does its job“.