European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Bulgaria joining the euro area on Thursday is a testament to Europe’s ability to collaborate and defy international headwinds. The Balkan nation of 6.4 million people just completed its economic transformation and became the latest country to join the world’s biggest currency zone. It also means the ECB Governing Council increases to 27 policymakers, with Bulgarian Central Bank Governor Dimitar Radev joining the ranks of rate setters. What’s also conspicuous is the predicament that Bulgaria finds itself in as it adopts Europe’s single currency this week. The switch is meant to crown almost two decades of integration after Bulgaria joined the EU and then finally its Schengen customs-free travel zone.

Source: Irish Examiner January 01, 2026 10:45 UTC