In a historic moment of economic integration, Bulgaria officially joined the eurozone on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the Balkan nation despite vocal public reservations.

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde celebrated the transition, describing the euro as a powerful symbol of European unity and collective strength in facing global geopolitical challenges.

The country, which has been an EU member since 2007, becomes the latest nation to adopt the single currency, bringing the total number of euro users to over 350 million across the continent. Bulgaria's entry leaves just six EU nations outside the currency union: Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Denmark.

President Rumen Radev characterized the move as the "final step" in Bulgaria's EU integration, while simultaneously expressing disappointment that citizens were not consulted through a national referendum. His comments highlighted a perceived disconnect between political leadership and public sentiment, underscored by recent mass demonstrations across the country.

A recent Eurobarometer survey revealed that 49% of Bulgarians opposed the currency switch, reflecting complex feelings about the economic transformation. Practical challenges have already emerged, with business owners and shopkeepers reporting difficulties obtaining euros and banks warning of potential disruptions to card payments and ATM withdrawals.

The technical implementation sets the fixed exchange rate at 1.95583 levs per euro, completing a complex economic transition that represents both opportunity and uncertainty for Bulgarian citizens.

As Bulgaria steps into this new economic chapter, the nation balances hope for increased stability with the genuine apprehension of significant change.