Bulgaria Adopts Euro 18 Years After Joining the EU

Bulgaria adopted the euro today, becoming the twenty-first member state of the Eurozone, eighteen years after joining the European Union.

At midnight, the national currency, the lev, was officially replaced by the single European currency.

The country's president, Rumen Radev, described the adoption of the euro as the final stage of European integration, while expressing regret over the absence of a referendum.

The government believes that accession will strengthen the country's economy, although many citizens are concerned about rising prices.

Leva will be accepted in transactions until the end of January.