In Bulgaria, pensioners will receive pensions in euros for the first time
Bulgarian banks, businesses and consumers are finalizing preparations to abandon the national currency, leva, ahead of the transition to the euro on January 1. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on December 30.
Despite the fact that the Bulgarian authorities have been trying to switch to the euro since the country's accession to the European Union (EU) in 2007, society remains divided. According to polls, businesses generally support this step, while some citizens fear rising prices and associate the reform with political instability.
Fears are also reinforced by historical factors: in a country with close cultural and political ties with Russia, some of the population are wary of further integration with European structures. Analysts also note a weak awareness campaign, which may make it more difficult for the elderly and residents of remote areas to adapt to the new currency.
"Businesses are preparing on the streets and in the shops of Sofia. Prices for everything from fruits to bottles of wine are indicated in both lev and euros. Government-funded billboards show the euro-lev exchange rate with the message: "Common past. A common future. A common currency," the article says.
On May 31, the Bulgarian National Radio reported that protests had taken place in the country against the change of the national currency. Citizens are afraid of a sharp rise in prices due to the introduction of the euro. In addition, they demanded a referendum on the country's accession to the eurozone.
Mass protests against the introduction of the euro took place on September 13 in several cities of Bulgaria, the leaders of the strike demanded the resignation of the government. Collection points for signatures in support of the preservation of the Bulgarian left were organized at the protest.
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