Air Force general and former President of Bulgaria
Appears in 2 stories
Former President of Bulgaria - Resigned; will form new political party after March elections, not before
Bulgaria has had five presidents in its 33-year post-communist history. None resigned before completing their term—until Rumen Radev stepped down on January 23, 2026. His departure elevated Vice President Iliana Iotova to become Bulgaria's first female head of state, a historic milestone overshadowed by the deepest political instability the country has faced since the fall of communism.
Updated Feb 6
President of Bulgaria - Acknowledged euro adoption while criticizing lack of referendum in New Year address
Bulgaria became the 21st member of the eurozone on January 1, 2026, replacing the lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 per euro. ECB President Christine Lagarde welcomed Governor Dimitar Radev to the Governing Council table in Frankfurt, calling the euro "a powerful symbol" of European unity amid global geopolitical uncertainty. The ECB illuminated its headquarters with "Welcome, Bulgaria" in all eurozone languages. The adoption happened despite 49% public opposition and President Rumen Radev's New Year's address lamenting that "those in power chose not to listen to the citizens" about holding a referendum. Euro banknotes and coins began circulating at midnight, ending nearly three decades under a currency board.
Updated Jan 1
No stories match your search
Try a different keyword
The week's most important stories, delivered every Monday. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
How would you like to describe your experience with the app today?
