MEP Stanislav Stoyanov shattered the propaganda clichés of the ruling party, who claim that Bulgaria is already in the eurozone. In a video address on social networks, he comprehensively presented the next steps that our country faces. He is categorical that the process for our country is proceeding at lightning speed, which is not a typical approach, since for other countries it has been significantly smoother. Stoyanov was categorical that now is the time for the Bulgarian people to continue to clearly and categorically demand a referendum and to show their desire to preserve the Bulgarian lev.
The next steps that our country will go through:
A non-binding consultation is planned at the level of the European Parliament's opinion. Then comes the decisive moment. If at least 55% of the eurozone member states, representing at least 65% of its population, approve the proposal at the European Council level, the next irreversible step will be taken - fixing the exchange rate of the lev against the euro forever. This will be done by unanimous decision of the Council on a proposal from the European Commission and after consultation with the European Central Bank.
„From that moment on, the exchange rate becomes irrevocably fixed. Term used in Article 140 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Here it is important to recall the words of the government that Bulgaria would abandon the introduction of the euro if the fixed exchange rate was different from the current one, again do not correspond to reality. There will be only 6 months of preparation before the Bulgarian lev, after 145 years of history, ceases to exist on January 1, 2026. For comparison - other countries have years to prepare their economies and societies for this transition. And some, such as Denmark, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, are in no hurry at all, because, as we well know, there is no mandatory deadline for introducing the euro.“, Stoyanov also said.
He adds that the technical criteria of inflation, budget deficit, interest rates and exchange rate stability may have been considered fulfilled, but no one presented to the public the real raw data on the basis of which inflation was calculated. The National Statistical Institute, despite the insistence of the MPs from “Vazrazhdane“, never shared the methodology, and practically did nothing to explain how it arrived at a value of 2.6 percent. A number that raises serious doubts and a feeling of manipulation among the public. But even if these data were accurate, the technical fulfillment of the criteria does not mean that we are ready. Once we give up the leva, we forever lose the opportunity to determine our own monetary policy. Decisions on interest rates and liquidity will be made by the European Central Bank, in line with Germany, France or the Netherlands, but unlikely with Bulgaria. If we fall into recession while leading economies are growing, we will pay the price. If our economy overheats while others are cooling down, we will also bear the consequences. Monetary policy will no longer be a tool of the Bulgarian economy. This is not just a change of currency. This is a loss of sovereignty. And the most disturbing thing is that all this is happening without a public debate, without a referendum, without the voice of the people being heard. The procedure is deliberately presented as technical, but its consequences are deeply political and economic. It is not yet too late. We have a short window in which we can oppose, demand a postponement, insist on a referendum, and say clearly that such a decision cannot be made behind the backs of Bulgarian citizens. The protests in Bulgaria are already being heard in Europe.
„More and more people around the world understand that the eurozone is not wanted in Bulgaria, and this is a painful truth even for the European Union itself. Now is the time to defend the leva, to defend our right to choose, to defend our future. The decision is in our hands, in the hands of the Bulgarian citizens.“, says Stanislav Stoyanov, calling on Bulgarians to continue to insist that a referendum be held in the country.
Large-scale protests have been taking place in Bulgaria for almost a month, with which Bulgarian citizens are demanding that they be heard and that a referendum be held in the country. The next such protest is on June 28 at 6:00 p.m. in front of the National Assembly (the former party house).