Bulgaria may ask for report on euro readiness as early as January

Stabilising state finances will be the main task of the Finance Ministry, its new head Temenuzhka Petkova said at her inauguration as minister.

The only woman minister in the new cabinet, Petkova said that Bulgaria had an opportunity to introduce the euro that should not be wasted. Outgoing Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said that the country had completed the 2024 budget with a 3% deficit, which is one of the criteria for eurozone membership. She will remain in the ministry as deputy minister.

By the end of January, Bulgaria can request an ad hoc assessment of its readiness to join the eurozone from the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

During the transition of power, it was also disclosed that the budget for this year, drafted by the acting Minister of Finance, will be revised to align with the policies of the new government.