Bulgaria’s Euro Adoption Plans Marred by Political Turmoil

Bulgaria's path to euro adoption faces significant hurdles as political instability and public discontent derail progress. The resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's coalition government—triggered by mass protests against corruption and proposed tax hikes—has plunged the nation into its eighth election cycle in five years.

Street clashes in Sofia underscore deepening societal divisions. The center-right GERB party, led by former Premier Boyko Borisov, abandoned its Eurozone accession push rather than face mounting public anger. Oligarchic influences, particularly from DPS coalition leader Delyan Peevski, continue to shape Bulgaria's fractured political landscape.

With inflation squeezing households and institutional trust eroding, the symbolic transition to the euro now mirrors broader systemic crises. Previous elections failed to deliver stability—this vote occurs against a backdrop where economic integration collides with grassroots demands for reform.