SOFIA, January 3. /Dunyo IA/.  Bulgaria has become the 21st country to adopt the euro, replacing the lev after almost 20 years in the European Union, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to Euronews, on January 1, Bulgaria entered the New Year as the 21st country to adopt the euro - a historic event greeted with both joy and concern, nearly 20 years after the Balkan country joined the European Union.

At midnight, Bulgaria abandoned the lev - a symbol present in the country for centuries - and Bulgarian euro coins were projected onto the central bank building.

“I warmly welcome Bulgaria to the euro family”, - said Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, calling the euro a “powerful symbol” of “shared values and collective strength”.

However, opinions among Bulgarians about this transition are divided: many fear that the introduction of new rules may lead to price increases and exacerbate the political instability shaking the country. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 49% of Bulgarians are opposed.

The euro was first introduced in 12 countries on January 1, 2002. The last to join was Croatia in 2023. Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone will increase the number of Europeans using the common currency to more than 350 million.