Bulgaria's Prime Minister Confident in Eurozone Entry, Promises Clear Measures to Protect Consumers - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Confident in Eurozone Entry, Promises Clear Measures to Protect Consumers - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has expressed confidence in Bulgaria’s path toward adopting the euro, anticipating a favorable convergence report on June 4. He emphasized that the government will propose measures aimed at reassuring the public that the switch to the euro will not lead to speculation or instability, relying heavily on the strength and cooperation of Bulgarian businesses.

The lev's last dance - Emerging Europe

Bulgaria’s journey to the eurozone faces political hurdles, but economic gains beckon. Bulgaria’s currency, the lev, has been pegged to the euro since 1997 (initially to the Deutsche Mark and later to its successor). Yet despite this long monetary engagement, the actual wedding date—when Bulgaria formally adopts the single currency—has proved elusive. Now, after a series of postponements, the Balkan nation appears on track to join the eurozone o…

Bulgaria shifts from EU funding to private capital for key public investments

Bulgaria will shift from EU cohesion funds to private investments and long-term concessions to rebuild critical infrastructure, PM Rosen Zhelyazkov announced Wednesday.

Bulgaria targets illegal gambling in push for Eurozone entry

Bulgaria’s efforts to join the Eurozone by January 2026 have reignited political and public debate, with top officials tying accession to critical economic reforms, most notably, curbing unlicensed gambling. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov said Eurozone entry would help dismantle the grey economy by addressing illegal gambling, which he called a major societal issue. Deputy Interior Minister Filip Popov warned that such operations often fun…

In the last 18 years, Bulgaria has been one of the main beneficiaries of the EU's cohesion funds and structural funds, receiving more than EUR 25 billion to bring its roads, railways, water infrastructure and energy networks to European standards. However, with the EU 2021-2027 budget cycle coming to an end and without any guarantee of being able to have similar funding beyond 2027, Sofia's government is looking for alternative sources of invest…