The co-chair of “We Continue the Change” Asen Vassilev said he did not expect a surge in consumer prices in Bulgaria after the adoption of the euro, arguing that the concerns were not backed by evidence. He explained that in countries that had already switched to the euro, any price growth was mainly seen in real estate, not in daily goods or services. Such a trend is likely to be observed in Bulgaria as well, he notes, while also recalling that real estate prices rose after Bulgaria joined both the European Union and NATO.
He pointed out that the information campaign surrounding the eurozone entry had been delayed and was not presented in a way that allowed people to understand it properly. This makes it hard for citizens to find and assess the facts they need.
Separately, Eva Maydell, the European Parliament’s main rapporteur on Bulgaria’s eurozone accession, cautioned against stirring up people’s feelings on the matter just as the convergence report was about to be released. She stressed that the European Union’s decision was not political but was based strictly on institutional criteria.
She underlined that the process was well-structured and largely automatic, with no hidden institutional barriers. She expressed confidence that the European Commission would present its assessment soon, noting that the Bulgarian government had clearly stated its position. (Novinite)