Bulgaria has officially started using the euro. This makes it the 21st country in the eurozone. The Bulgarian lev is no longer used. The lev was linked to European money for many years. This change shows Bulgaria is more connected to the European Union. However, some people are happy, and some are worried.
Adopting the euro was a big goal for Bulgaria. It joins NATO, the EU, and the Schengen Area. The lev was stable for a long time. It was first linked to the Deutschmark. Then it was linked to the euro. Supporters say this is a good step. They believe it will help the economy. It may also bring more foreign investment. President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov say this is important. It helps Bulgaria's place in Europe.
But not everyone is happy. Many people feel sad about changing their national currency. It was a symbol of their country. Some people are afraid and angry. This is because of the economy and political problems. Bulgaria is one of the poorest EU countries. There have been many elections. This has made people unsure. This uncertainty affects the euro change.
Todor, who owns a small business, said, "I don't want the euro." He also said, "I don't like how it was forced on us." Other people worry that prices will go up. They think they will not be able to buy as much. Some business owners see fewer sales. They think people are worried about the new money. There have been protests. This shows many people are not happy.
Bulgaria is going through a big change. It is important to see if the euro will help the economy. Bulgaria wants economic stability. It wants a better future in Europe.