With an absolute majority, Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved the report supporting Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone, BGNES reported.

The report on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro received 531 votes in favor, 69 against, and 79 abstentions.

The decision by the EU's legislative body follows a unanimous recommendation by member states and European leaders for Bulgaria to adopt the euro as of January 1, 2026.

Earlier on July 8, Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe stated that the exchange rate of the Bulgarian lev against the euro would remain unchanged.

The final decision will be made later today in Brussels by the finance ministers of the EU’s 27 member states at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN). The meeting is expected to conclude around 4:00 PM Bulgarian time.

Bulgaria’s Minister of Finance, Temenuzhka Petkova, is also attending the meeting.

"Nothing can stop Bulgaria on its path to the eurozone. The entire process related to Bulgaria's eurozone membership is, in practice, concluding today," Petkova commented ahead of the ECOFIN session. | BGNES