Bulgaria Joins the Eurozone in 36 Hours — Prof. Krassen Stanchev Explains What Changes

Gunther Fehlinger Podcast · Dec 31, 2025 · 1h 16m · transcript

Short description:

Professor Krassen Stanchev (Bulgaria) joins Günther Fehlinger just 36 hours before Bulgaria enters the Eurozone on January 1, 2026. They revisit the long road from the 1997 currency board (lev pegged to the Deutsche Mark, later effectively to the euro) through the 1997 hyperinflation crisis, to Bulgaria’s growth model built on fiscal discipline and a 10% flat tax. They also discuss today’s risks (frequent elections, protests, public pay expansion), why the euro can strengthen rule of law, Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine, Schengen benefits, and regional priorities like North…