There is no one to stop us on the way to the eurozone. This was stated to bTV by the MEP from the EPP/GERB group Andrey Kovachev.
According to him, there is no danger of a veto by another member state.
The final decision that Bulgaria enters the eurozone will be taken on July 8 2025 by the EU Council in the ECOFIN format. This decision will fix:
- the date for adopting the euro – January 1, 2026;
- the exchange rate according to which 1 euro is equal to 1.95583 leva.
Kovachev explained that a qualified majority is needed for a positive assessment, not unanimity, as there is speculation.
„There is no attitude in any of the countries in the eurozone for anyone to stop Bulgaria. A parallel cannot be drawn with Schengen, when the Netherlands and Austria had reservations“, said the MEP, adding that he cannot understand why President Rumen Radev is playing with people's fears.
„Yes, of course some people are afraid, a serious information campaign is needed, that people will not become poor, that we will not lose our sovereignty, that they will not take away our reservation and that we will not lose positive things that we currently have. Regulators must protect consumers from speculation, from those who would allow themselves during this transition period“, said Kovachev.
According to him, the full severity of the law will be used against those who will allow themselves to speculate on the introduction of the euro. He gave the example of Croatia, where there were no negatives after the single European currency came into force.
“In the first year of Croatia's accession to the eurozone, over 1.5 million more tourists entered this country. The credit rating was upgraded to AAA. GDP increased. We expect the same to happen for Bulgaria“, commented the MEP.
According to him, it is a plus that the Bulgarian lev is tied to the euro through the Currency Board and no exchange rate problems are expected in our country. He was outraged by the idea of "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" to request a vote of no confidence at this time.