Bulgaria officially adopted the euro as its national currency on January 1, becoming the 21st member of the euro area. Leaders, including President Rumen Radev, Parliament Speaker Raya Nazaryan, and outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, highlighted this strategic integration milestone in their New Year's messages. While some leaders emphasized the benefits of stability and economic opportunity, President Radev noted that the decision to abandon the national currency should have been preceded by a national referendum.