Chaos as Bulgaria’s Eurozone entry move sparks brawl in parliament - WATCH

The clash occurred as Revival MPs blocked the parliamentary podium in protest against Bulgaria's move towards joining the single currency. The far-right party has emerged as the most vocal opponent of euro adoption, with its members holding placards reading "No to the euro" and "Yes to our lev" during the tumultuous session.

The physical altercation marked an unprecedented escalation in parliamentary tensions surrounding the eurozone debate.

Bulgaria received the green light from the European Commission and European Central Bank to adopt the euro from 1 January 2026, becoming the 21st member of the single currency area. The announcement came as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside parliament in Sofia, waving Bulgarian and Russian flags whilst chanting "no to Euro colonialism."

The protesters, organised by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party, blocked entrances to both parliament and the central bank. Many carried signs reading "Preserve the Bulgarian lev" and "The future belongs to sovereign states."

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the euro would make Bulgaria's economy "stronger, with more trade with euro area partners, foreign direct investment, access to finance, quality jobs and real incomes."

Revival leader Kostadin Kostadinov read historical excerpts in parliament and accused pro-euro MPs of being "janissaries" who were betraying the people. His inflammatory rhetoric prompted deputies from We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, DPS-New Beginning, BSP-United Left, There is Such a People, and several GERB MPs to walk out of the plenary hall.

Only Revival, Greatness, and MECH MPs remained as Kostadinov delivered his declaration. He warned that any government pushing forward with the euro would "pay a cruel price."

MECH representatives vowed that if institutions collapse, they would call on the people to take back power directly.

Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov celebrated what he called a "remarkable day" on social media, stating it marked "another step forward on Bulgaria's path to the euro" following years of reforms and alignment with European partners.

Former prime minister Kiril Petkov, co-leader of We Continue the Change, said Bulgaria had waited 18 years for this moment. "Back then, that dream sounded unrealistic. Now, after everything we've gone through, we can congratulate ourselves," he told reporters in parliament corridors.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov dismissed the protesters as people who "want Bulgaria to stay out of the club of developed nations," whilst accusing Petkov of contributing nothing to the euro adoption process.