I do not think that President Rumen Radev contradicts himself – there is a difference between adopting and introducing the euro. The difference – the president does not oppose the adoption, but proposes to the National Assembly to hold a referendum – this is not unconstitutional. This was stated by Anton Kutev, spokesman for four official offices, on the air of "This Morning" on bTV.
When asked if President Radev will form a party, Kutev answered laconically: “You will have to ask him.”
Anton Kutev explained the difference between adopting the euro in 2026 and 2027: “The difference is how prepared we are with the answers for Bulgarian citizens. If the citizens do not want the introduction now, there is no way any lawyer can explain to them that they want it because we claim to be a democracy.”
“In this referendum, if there is one, I will vote “for” the adoption of the euro. That is, the question is not whether to adopt the euro, but when to introduce it”, he explained.
He also defended President Radev on the topic of the contract with “Botas”, explaining that this has nothing to do with the euro.
“The Constitutional Court cannot speak on this issue, because we have a clear action - the president proposes a referendum to the National Assembly. The Constitutional Court will be able to intervene if the National Assembly calls a referendum, if the president calls a referendum. It is important, it is useful for the government to accept the referendum”, he also said.
„The question foresees when the euro will be introduced. According to the European regulation, the adoption of the euro follows the introduction and has a 3-year deadline to be fulfilled. We can introduce the euro from January 1, 2026, 2027 or 2028. The question is relevant”, he believes.
„Do you have a statement from the president against the adoption of the euro? Radev's question is whether we are ready for the introduction of the euro. Now he is asking himself, because if we are not ready for the adoption, is there a more important question than whether citizens will lose 20-30% of their savings when the euro is introduced? If a referendum is held, we have 2-3 months in which both sides can explain their arguments. The most important thing is whether the government has taken measures to prevent prices from rising - are you aware of any such measures? People are worried," Kutev added.