Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

President Rumen Radev proposes national referendum on the adoption of the euro

Photo: Facebook/President Rumen Radev

In an address to the Bulgarian citizens, the Bulgarian head of state Rumen Radev has announced that he is submitting a proposal to the National Assembly to hold a national referendum. 


The question in it is "Do you agree that Bulgaria should adopt the single European currency "euro" in 2026?".

The president has pointed out that there is no consensus on Bulgaria's readiness to take the strategic decision to adopt the single European currency, nor on the date of its adoption. Rumen Radev is convinced that the basic principles of democracy are also missing when making such an important decision:

"There are contradictory assessments at all levels of the social pyramid: in the political class, in expert circles and among citizens. Inflation, the crisis of trust in the political class, the lack of clear organization and convincing actions by the government to guarantee the purchasing power of citizens and the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy are adding tension to the processes surrounding the introduction of the euro", Rumen Radev pointed out.

In the words of the Bulgarian president, institutions with critically low legitimacy are making strategic decisions about our common future without listening to the opinions of citizens

"As president, I am convinced that the introduction of the single European currency can and should be done with a convincing national consensus. With the inner conviction of the people, and not with a dismissive disregard for their will. Every Bulgarian citizen has the right to speak out about their money, their well-being and future," the president emphasized, adding that the referendum will be a test of the democratic nature of the National Assembly and will show who follows the principles of democracy.

The referendum among Bulgarian citizens will be a healing for Bulgarian democracy and "will give the people a say" as well as "an opportunity to hear all the arguments "for" and "against", Rumen Radev also pointed out: 

"It will also give the political class the opportunity to restore the dialogue with the voters and fight for their trust, which it has lost in recent years. The nationwide referendum will return thousands of Bulgarians to the polls. Bulgarian democracy is in critical need of this surge of legitimacy".

The head of state stressed that similar referendums have been held in other countries and holding such a referendum will not be a precedent, but will contribute to achieving a national consensus.

"Any attempt by political forces to present the referendum I propose as "for" or "against" Bulgaria's European future will be gross manipulation", said the head of state, reminding that Bulgaria is a full member of the European Union, which has the right to determine when to introduce the European currency.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Weather forecast: October begins with clouds, rain over Western Bulgaria by evening

On Wednesday, minimum temperatures will range between 5 and 10° C., higher along the sea coast, for Sofia 6° C. During the day there will be scattered clouds, the cloud cover will be considerable over many parts of the country. There will be rain in..

published on 9/30/25 7:55 PM
Foreign Ministry building

Foreign Ministry: Bulgaria welcomes President Trump’s plan to put an end to hostilities in Gaza

Bulgaria welcomes President Trump ’s concrete plan to put an end to hostilities in Gaza and acknowledge the swift and positive response by Israel. This real opportunity is to be seized and we demand on regional partners to exert pressure on..

updated on 9/30/25 6:23 PM
Delyan Peevski

Delyan Peevski’s DPS-New Beginning wants Soros’ activities in Bulgaria investigated

MPs from Delyan Peevski’s DPS-New Beginning have proposed the formation of an ad hoc inquiry committee into the facts and circumstances regarding the activities of George Soros and his son Alexander Soros and their foundations on the territory of..

published on 9/30/25 5:08 PM