Bulgaria to enter the euro zone: What that means and why some people aren’t happy about it

Bulgaria is a step closer toward becoming the 21st country to adopt the euro and join the euro zone.

On June 3, the European Commission announced that the Balkan nation now fulfills the four nominal convergence criteria requirements to adopt the single currency and enter the euro zone, and it may transition as soon as January 1, 2026.

“The euro is a tangible symbol of European strength and unity,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. “Bulgaria’s economy will become stronger...