site.btaIntroduction of Euro Should be Informed and Calm Process, Says Prime Minister Zhelyazkov

The introduction of the euro must be an informed and calm process that does not create public tension, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Tuesday in Burgas during the launch of the national information campaign dedicated to Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone on January 1, 2026.

“This campaign, as its name suggests, is informational. It is not propaganda and does not aim to create preliminary expectations. Its purpose is to explain,” Zhelyazkov said, noting that the campaign should clearly explain the path to adopting the euro, the challenges associated with it and the difficulties expected by the institutions, as well as the ways in which any negative effects can be mitigated. "In a democracy, the most scarce resource is trust. When it is undermined, institutions weaken and society loses its ability to respond to challenges," the Prime Minister stressed.

Part of the debate surrounding the euro has been influenced by uncoordinated and sometimes organized information attacks aimed at instilling doubt and uncertainty, Zhelyazkov argued. "The euro is not a foreign currency. It is the common European currency of nearly 400 million citizens of the European Union. By adopting the euro, we are fully participating in the single market," he added.

Zhelyazkov stressed that the campaign must reach vulnerable groups in particular, who are most at risk from speculation and manipulation. "We live in a sea of information, where truth is the most valuable resource. It requires effort and investment. The media must be our ally in this effort," he added.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister stressed that the government's goal is for the process of introducing the euro to be planned, transparent, and free from unnecessary public tension.