In recent months, business has been under constant public and media pressure related to public concerns about a possible sharp increase in prices as a result of joining the Eurozone. We are aware that the government is keen to calm social tensions and in this regard we supported the measures adopted by the Law on the Introduction of the Euro, which provided for a "price freeze" for a period of one month starting from January 1, 2026. We have taken all necessary organizational actions to adapt the administrative and financial processes in enterprises for a smooth transition. On July 21, we were surprised by the upload to the website of the National Assembly of the draft law on the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria, approved by Decision No. 481 of the Council of Ministers of 2025. The extreme anti-market measures envisaged therein have neither been discussed with employers' organizations and businesses, nor has an assessment of their impact been prepared. In practice, they provide for a "freezing of trade turnover in the country" for a year and five months, as well as delegating to the Council of Ministers the right to introduce additional measures at any time if it deems that there is an "excessive increase in prices", without providing a definition of what this means. The following texts are particularly worrying for us, and we insist that the arguments set out below be considered and taken into account when drafting the bill on second reading.

The full text is in the uploaded file