site.btaBSP-United Left to Not Support President's Euro Referendum Proposal

In a position to the media on Saturday, BSP - United Left said that it will not back the proposal for a referendum on the euro changeover in Bulgaria that President Rumen Radev said he will table. "In connection with the decision of the Constitutional Court of February 8, 2024, a resolution of the National Assembly to hold a referendum on joining the euro area or specific deadlines for this action would be an unconstitutional act, which we cannot support," reads a joint position to the media of the Coalition Council of the BSP - United Left parliamentary group and the Executive Bureau of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). 

Late on Friday, the head of State said in an address to the nation that he will table to Parliament a proposal for a referendum on the adoption of the euro. “Do you agree for Bulgaria to adopt the single European currency euro in 2026?" is the question of the proposed referendum.

BSP - United Left's position reads: "We do not underestimate the fears and hesitations of the Bulgarian citizens and, therefore, we urge the Government and the National Assembly to strengthen the broad public dialogue. BSP - United Left will continue to hold in the coming months a series of talks and meetings with Bulgarian citizens on the issues of Bulgaria's accession to the euro area.

The coalition takes into account the expert assessments and professional opinions expressed by the Bulgarian National Bank, Bulgarian trade unions, Bulgarian employer associations, numerous branch associations and a number of civic associations. "We believe that their analyses and positions in support of Bulgaria's accession to the euro area reflect the objective economic benefits for the Bulgarian citizens and industry," the position reads.

Based on the experience with the introduction of the euro in other countries, the left-wing coalition proposes to start accelerated work on a system of legal measures to ensure price stability and protect people's incomes. BSP - United Left supports the Government's efforts to ensure that Bulgaria takes its rightful, deserved and full place in the EU through its recent accession to the euro area.

"The BSP has worked systematically for Bulgaria's European integration - from the submission of the application for EU membership in 1995 until the accession in 2007, maintaining a position in support of Bulgaria's membership in the euro area, which is present in decisions of our highest bodies," the political force recalled. The position reads further that BSP - United Left supports the holding of national consultations on issues important for Bulgaria and its citizens in strict compliance with the rule of law, the Constitution and the country's laws.

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic based on the rule of law; the decisions of the Constitutional Court should be respected and complied with by all institutions, the position underscores.

"We value the role of the presidential institution with its specific powers conferred by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria," the Socialists assure. 

Political and public responsibility require long-term consistency in positions on key issues for Bulgarian citizens, they believe.  BSP-United Left has always defended this principle with particular attention to issues that directly affect the income and social rights of Bulgarian citizens, the coalition further noted.

It is time 29 years after the introduction of the currency board that Bulgaria take a step forward and participate in the monetary policy of the EU by joining the single European currency, BSP - United Left said.