Bulgaria joins the Euro amid political turmoil and protests

Bulgaria became the 21st euro area member, lauded as a symbol of European collaboration

An information campaign poster ahead of the Euro currency adoption in Sofia. Photographer: Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Bulgaria joining the euro area on Thursday is a testament to Europe’s ability to collaborate and defy international headwinds.

“The euro is a powerful symbol of what Europe can achieve when we work together, and of the shared values and collective strength that we can leverage to confront the global geopolitical uncertainty that we face at the moment,” she said, welcoming the currency’s 21st member.