Български
EnglishWe present a statement by Maria Ilieva (Мария Илиева) regarding Bulgaria’s accession to the Eurozone and the European Union (Европейския съюз), which she analyzes as a mechanism for stripping the country of its economic sovereignty, restricting national production, and dramatically increasing the cost of living as a result of foreign regulations and corporate interests.
(The text is structured, with corrected spelling and punctuation, and filler phrases and repetitions removed for greater clarity.)
Entering the Eurozone: Celebration or Illusion?
As of January 1, Bulgaria entered the Eurozone. A great celebration, great joy. A light show in front of the Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка), a light show in Brussels (Брюксел). Ursula von der Leyen (Урсула фон дер Лайен) congratulates Bulgaria as the 21st member of the Eurozone and the European Central Bank (Европейска централна банка).
What actually happened? Let us look at things in retrospect so they can truly be understood by people. Many things were said and written. The media, bought by one side or another, told all kinds of stories, but most people genuinely could not understand how this point was reached and what the consequences for Bulgaria would be. Let us move closer to the facts and state them in simple terms.
Retrospective: Hopes from the EU and Reality
Bulgaria was admitted to the European Union (Европейския съюз) after many long years of a socialist regime, during which Bulgarians did not travel abroad. They saw Western Europe only in pictures and videos—stores full of goods, clean streets, well-dressed people, and happy children. Everyone imagined that once we entered Europe, all of this would happen in Bulgaria as well.
Immediately after the change, we began to travel, to see their universities and huge corporations. We imagined foreign banks and companies coming here, and us becoming equal to all Europeans. People, happy and hopeful, headed toward Europe. Everyone imagined everything leveling out—Sofia becoming equal to Berlin (Берлин), Paris (Париж), and Vienna (Виена).
But the detail lies in the key. Europe expanded its borders because it has a more developed economy and needs markets. Under the pretext of “Let’s unite” and through the free movement of people and goods, they actually expanded their limited markets. Their banks came here to lend to our enterprises, but took the profits back there. This place filled up with foreign companies, and Bulgarians went to work there. The stronger took over the markets of the weaker, attracted their people, and supported their own economies.
Economic Mechanisms and Constraints
The case of Greece (Гърция) showed that countries with large debts were also admitted, debts that had to be paid so that the “fairy tale” would not end. The agreement was designed to guarantee the expansion of the strong. They divided the markets by restricting those in which we are good. They did this through pre-accession and accession funds, which poor Bulgaria immediately latched onto, thinking money was being given as a gift. No one understood that this money was a fishing hook that would pull profits back to where they wanted.
They restricted our nuclear power plants (АЕЦ) and introduced quotas for agricultural and dairy production, in order to shackle us and allow us to develop only as far as they deem fit. Our young people, whose education and healthcare were paid for by Bulgarian taxpayers, went to work there, strengthening their economy and pension system.
The Trap of Treaties and Political Pressure
This treaty, from which there is no exit, has not existed in any other organization. We can leave NATO (НАТО), the EU (ЕС) (as the United Kingdom did – Обединеното кралство), the World Health Organization (Световната здравна организация), or the International Monetary Fund (Международния валутен фонд), but the Eurozone treaty is eternal. Once you enter, there is no way out, regardless of who is in power.
Other countries such as Hungary (Унгария), Czechia (Чехия), Poland (Полша), and Romania (Румъния) began to realize this and to postpone entry. In Bulgaria, those in power also tried to delay the moment, but NGOs and organizations intervened, pushing interests such as the Green Deal (Зелената сделка). This led to expensive electricity and profits that flowed back to Europe.
When the ruling politicians were completely surrounded and dependent, they were told: “So when, dear ones, will you finally come to the Eurozone? Come on in, it’s high time.” Everything happened very quickly because they were afraid that power might change here and people would realize that the national interest was not being protected. That is why they requested an extraordinary convergence report.
The Role of the IMF and the Currency Board
The only criterion that Bulgaria met was debt, and even that thanks to the International Monetary Fund (Международния валутен фонд), which disciplined the economy and introduced strict constraints. We were in an excellent position where we could not borrow or print money recklessly. We had reserves in the form of euros, gold, and bonds, which we managed ourselves.
This balance was disrupted because those in power accepted Europe’s conditions in order to survive politically. An advertising campaign with false claims began. They say we will not have currency risk, but we have not had such risk since 1997, when we pegged the lev to the euro. This rate is predictable for investors. They claim we will save on currency conversion, but when paying by card the rate is fixed and the costs are minimal. Foreign investors do not come because of the currency, but because of the legal system and the protection of their interests, which are lacking here.
Loss of Budgetary Sovereignty
The truth is that as of January 1, Bulgaria will no longer be able to manage its own resources. It no longer has money, no longer has its own budget, and no longer has a choice. The budget is now managed by the European Central Bank (Европейската централна банка). The ECB will say: “Let us see your taxes and revenues, since you are now with us; we must be sure they are sufficient for you to service your debts.”
We are already seeing increases in the price of water, taxi services, and documents. Electricity price hikes and the introduction of new taxes are forthcoming. The ECB will limit spending on administration, pensions, and social payments, as they did in Greece (Гърция). If we do not agree, they will say: “We make the budget; your money is with us.” They may even restrict ATM withdrawals.
We will be forced to take out loans to build factories or capacities, from which they will take the main share, while we will pay the debts. They will tell us where to develop according to their needs, because the market niches are already occupied.
Price Shock and Comparison with Germany
We are in their hands. We have turned into children to whom a parent says how much money is given for breakfast. Our rulers sold us the same product at different prices. In Bulgaria, a pack of butter costs 6.99 BGN, while in Germany (Германия) the same product is 1.89 euros (about 3.80 BGN)—exactly what it cost here two years ago. That is an 80% markup. This is not about transportation costs, because they are not delivered by space shuttles.
Institutions such as the Commission for Protection of Competition (Комисия за защита на конкуренцията) and the Commission for Consumer Protection (Комисия за защита на потребителите) do not react. Food in Bulgaria must become an object of national security, with civic oversight over the large retail chains.
Conclusion
They continue to sell us rosy hopes, but reality will strike very soon. We have buried one of the strongest tools for development—our currency independence. The strong “beast” will not let the “small fish” go free. Still, there is hope that in other countries there are people who feel unfairly treated, and if we unite, we can change this system and restore justice.
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