On Saturday, in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, there were violent protests against government plans to adopt the euro as the authoritative currency of the country. The demonstration, organized by the Nationalist organization of Rebirth (bulg. Възраждане, Wazrazdanje), turned into clashes with police, resulting in respective officers being injured and many protesters being arrested.
About 1,000 people passed before the office of the European Commission’s representation in Sofia, expressing their opposition to Bulgaria’s accession to the euro area. Protesters threw red paint and firecrackers at the building, and at a climax 1 of the entrance doors was set on fire.
Police, supported by the fire department, have intervened to control the situation. The demonstration began before noon outside the office of the Bulgarian National Bank. Protesters chanted passwords: “Not for the euro!”, “Yes to the Bulgarian left!”. The Rebirth Leader, Kostadin Kostadinov, in an interview with journalists stressed that his organization is demanding a referendum on entry into the euro area. He besides announced that if the government did not conduct the plebiscite, his group would block the work of the National Assembly.
“I am here to defend Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people” – said Kostadinov.
“Scandalic scenes in Sofia where vandalism has occurred in our EU office. In Europe, we exercise the right to peaceful demonstrations. force and vandalism are never an answer," commented European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Bulgaria, which joined the European Union in 2007, has been facing political instability for years. The current government, which was created only a period ago, has set the entry into the euro area rapidly as a key component of its programme. However, the euro subject is very controversial. any economists inform that Bulgaria is not yet gathering the economical conditions to join the euro area, which could lead to serious financial consequences.
Despite these concerns, the government, supported by pro-European parties in parliament, argues that the adoption of the euro is not only a step towards stabilising the economy but besides an crucial political signal in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions in Europe.
Rebirth is simply a nationalist political organization in Bulgaria, founded in 2014. It is headed by Kostadin Kostadinov. The organization is known for its pro-Russian attitude, hard Euroscepticism and opposition to Bulgaria's membership of NATO and the European Union.
In the last election, the Rebirth strengthened its position in Bulgarian politics. In the parliamentary election, she obtained 35 seats in the 240-member National Assembly, making them 1 of the leading opposition forces. In the elections to the European Parliament, the organization won 3 seats per 17 Bulgaria. It besides has its representation in local governments, including 3 seats in Sofia City Council.
On the global stage, the revival co-creates a faction in the European Parliament – Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) – together with the German alternate for Germany (AfD) and the Polish fresh Hope (Euro-President Stanislaw Tyszka is simply a vice-president of the faction), part of the Confederation.
