Bulgaria’s Parliament Rejects Euro Referendum, Sparking Constitutional Challenge
A contentious proposal to adopt the Euro in 2026 has been defeated by the Bulgarian Parliament, prompting a legal challenge from President Rumen Radev and accusations of a deliberate silencing of public opinion.
The Bulgarian National Assembly formally rejected President Radev’s call for a national referendum on Euro adoption after a re-vote, with the decision slated for publication in the State Gazette. This outcome follows months of political maneuvering and a notable absence of presidential representation during parliamentary proceedings.
A senior official stated that the parliament “does not have the political will to hear the voice of the citizens,” highlighting a deep rift between the executive and legislative branches. The initial proposal, seeking a public vote on whether Bulgaria should introduce the Euro in 2026, was submitted eight months prior to the vote, giving the National Assembly ample time to consider the matter, according to the presidential institution.
The parliamentary debate was marked by accusations of obstruction. Raya Nazaryan, the Speaker of the National Assembly, explained that representatives from the presidential institution were notified as early as 8:00 a.m. on the day of the debate that they would be expected to present the rationale behind the referendum proposal. Despite multiple breaks and attempts to contact the president’s office, no representative appeared to advocate for the measure.
“If there is no one to present [the reasons], we will move on to the debates,” Nazaryan stated, emphasizing the parliament’s procedural requirements. She further noted that the motivations behind the proposal were already publicly available, except for details shared in May, and that only the petitioner – President Radev – could adequately present them.
The rejection of the referendum proposal is not the end of the legal battle. On May 23, President Radev appealed to the Constitutional Court, seeking a mandatory interpretation of the Constitution and a declaration that the previous Speaker of Parliament, Natalia Kiselova, improperly refused to submit the referendum proposal for consideration. Kiselova had initially deemed the proposal inadmissible on May 13. The Constitutional Court partially admitted Radev’s request on June 10, signaling a potential path for legal redress.
This situation underscores a broader struggle for political influence in Bulgaria. The outcome of the Constitutional Court’s review will be critical in determining whether the public will have a direct say in Bulgaria’s future relationship with the Euro. The current assessment, based on 47 votes, stands at 3.7 stars.
