05.01.2026
On the eve of Bulgaria’s accession to the euro area, the Portuguese national newspaper „Expresso“ published an extensive interview with Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Zlatinov, PhD, Head of the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
The interview emphasizes that Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area in 2026 is taking place amid chronic political and institutional instability that cannot be explained as a temporary crisis. Protests against the euro are not an expression of economic irrationality, but of moral and institutional discontent—directed against corruption, inequalities, and the perceived lack of justice. A special role is played by Generation Z, which, without memories of socialism, compares Bulgaria with Western Europe and is emerging as a long-term source of pressure for reforms. Despite macroeconomic stability and low public debt, the country remains the poorest in the EU; according to Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Zlatinov, the reason lies in institutional weakness that undermines trust and investment. Divisions within society on strategic and geopolitical issues further create uncertainty and hinder long-term development. In this context, the euro is not an automatic solution, but a tool whose impact will be limited without real reforms, a fight against corruption, and an active investment policy. The main conclusion is that the euro area can be an opportunity to accelerate development only if it is accompanied by a clear vision and political will—otherwise, Bulgaria risks remaining a peripheral economy with growing social unrest.
The full interview in Portuguese can be found here:https://expresso.pt/economia/2026-01-01-agora-na-zona-euro-a-bulgaria-continua-a-oscilar-entre-o-leste-e-o-ocidente-afirma-o-economista-dimitar-zlatinov-cf5ef3e1