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Bulgaria to Hold Referendum on Euro Adoption Amid Political and Economic Debate
In a move that could reshape the country’s economic future, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced he would submit a request to parliament for a referendum on whether the country should adopt the euro as its official currency.
“Bulgaria, as a full member of the European Union, faces a strategic decision — the introduction of the single European currency,” Radev said in a national address. “The referendum will be a test of the National Assembly’s democracy and will show who is following democratic principles and who is denying Bulgarians the right to determine their future.”
The push to adopt the euro comes amid years of political turmoil and economic challenges for Bulgaria, which has been part of the European Union since 2007. The decision to pursue eurozone membership has not been without its hurdles. In 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) rejected Bulgaria’s bid to join the currency union, citing high inflation as a major obstacle.
In February 2025, the debate reached a boiling point when police in Sofia clashed with nationalist protesters who opposed the government’s plans. About 1,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the European Commission’s Sofia office, throwing red paint and firecrackers at the building, which resulted in a door being set on fire.
While the new government, formed just last month, has made joining the eurozone a priority, not everyone is convinced that Bulgaria is ready for the economic shift. Some economists argue that the country does not yet meet the necessary economic conditions for euro adoption, citing issues such as inflation and fiscal stability.
However, the Bulgarian government, with the backing of pro-European parties in parliament, maintains that adopting the euro is crucial for deeper European integration. As geopolitical tensions rise in Europe, they argue that adopting the euro would help secure Bulgaria’s place within the European project.
At the same time, nationalist factions, particularly those with pro-Russia sympathies, have ramped up opposition to the eurozone bid. These groups are reportedly spreading disinformation in an effort to sway public opinion and create fear around the potential impacts of euro adoption.
As Bulgaria moves toward the referendum, the country finds itself at a crossroads. The decision to adopt the euro will not only affect the economy but could also reshape the nation’s political and diplomatic future within the EU.
The outcome of the referendum remains uncertain, with significant divisions within the country about the advantages and risks of joining the eurozone.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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