Bulgaria still set to adopt the Euro despite massive protests
Bulgaria is still set to adopt the Euro on January 1, 2026, despite massive anti-government and anti-corruption protests that recently led to the Prime Minister’s resignation, though the political turmoil has created uncertainty and concerns about fair elections and potential delays, with some fearing inflation and Russian disinformation influencing the opposition. The country faces a government vacuum and upcoming early elections, but the Eurozone entry, a major EU step, remains legally on track, though public opinion is divided.
KEY POINTS:
- Euro Adoption: Bulgaria is scheduled to become the 21st Eurozone member on January 1, 2026, replacing its currency, the lev.
- Protests & Politics: Recent widespread protests, initially against a controversial budget plan, evolved into demands for resignation and fair elections, leading to the center-right government’s collapse.
- Reasons for Protests: Concerns include corruption, influence of oligarchs (like Delyan Peevski), and alleged election manipulation, with accusations of Russian social media campaigns fueling anti-Euro sentiment.
- Public Opinion: About half of Bulgarians oppose the Euro, fearing price hikes, though the European Central Bank suggests inflation impact will be modest.
- Current Situation: The country lacks a government and budget for 2026, with a caretaker government expected to be appointed, but Euro entry is considered legally irreversible
Bulgaria holds consultations for new government
The president, Rumen Radev, is holding consultations with parties, but if they refuse or fail to form the government, he will appoint an interim government and call a snap election.
Bulgaria, a NATO member state, has held seven national elections in the past four years as consecutive governments failed to keep control of a fractured parliament.
Kalina Yurukova, 21-year-old student, said: “If you steal constantly, you must think you are above everyone else. And for people who are arrogant and have not a shred of shame, I cannot have respect or associate myself with them.”
Earlier this month, the government withdrew its 2026 budget plan, the first drafted in euros, due to the mass protests. Opposition parties and other organisations said they were protesting against plans to hike social security contributions and taxes on dividends to finance higher state spending.
Bulgarian government resigns amid protests
SOFIA, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s government resigned on Thursday after less than a year in power, following weeks of street protests over its economic policies and its perceived failure to tackle corruption.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced the decision in a televised address just minutes before parliament was due to vote on a no-confidence motion. The resignation comes less than three weeks before Bulgaria is due to join the euro zone on January 1.
“Our coalition met, we discussed the current situation, the challenges we face and the decisions we must responsibly make,” Zhelyazkov said, confirming that the government would step down.
Thousands of Bulgarians rallied on Wednesday evening in Sofia and dozens of other towns and cities, the latest in a wave of demonstrations highlighting public anger over endemic graft and successive governments’ inability to root it out.
“We realise that the protest was against arrogance and conceit, this is not a social protest, but a protest for values,” Zhelyazkov said. “It was not a meeting of political opponents over policies but over attitudes, and therefore it unites different components of Bulgarian society.”
Dr. Dony K. Donev: Introduction to John 5
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Focus on a small part of Chapter 5; full chapter will be addressed in another talk.
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Expository Bible study principle: do not omit what the author intends; understand the context.
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John’s Gospel narrative in brief:
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Chapter 1 – Creation and beginning.
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Chapter 2 – Christ’s first miracle (water to wine).
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Chapter 3 – Nicodemus and questions of faith.
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Chapter 4 – Woman at the well.
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Chapter 5 – Paralytic man (focus of this study).
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Application: We see ourselves in these stories:
- At the well with the woman.
- With the paralytic, facing sickness or oppression.
- In creation, asking questions about beginnings.
- John’s Gospel speaks to our lives and experiences.
Verse 1: Context & Significance
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“The Feast of the Jews” = Passover (second recorded Passover Jesus attended).
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Chronology: Jesus ministered ~3–3.5 years, not four.
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Johannian phrase: “After these things…” (Greek: meta tauta). Contextually links back to previous events (Samaritan woman, previous miracles).
Verse 2: Present Continuous Action
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“Now was” vs. “there was” → emphasizes ongoing reality.
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Location: Sheep Gate, Pool of Bethesda (“House of Mercy”), five porches.
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Historical significance: gate restored by Nehemiah; miracles happen through preparation and prior work.
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Water symbolism: continuous in John’s Gospel.
Verse 3: The Multitude at Bethesda
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People lying on porches: sick, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the stirring of the water.
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Place functioned like a hospital or hospice, offering mercy but not healing.
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Importance: highlights the need for action, faith, and not just passive waiting.
Verse 4: Angel’s Stirring of Water
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Angel stirred water; first to enter after stirring was healed.
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Greek: “troubling” of water → divine or angelic activity.
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Step of faith required to enter: miracle is available, but effort is needed.
Verse 5–7: The Paralytic Man
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Man had been ill for 38 years.
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His theology: “A man have I none…” → depended on others, not God directly.
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Lesson: don’t wait on another; God can act directly.
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Human tendency: self-pity, victim mentality.
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Jesus asks: “Do you want to be well?” – Highlights awareness, desire for change, and personal responsibility.
Verse 8: Jesus Commands Healing
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“Rise, take up thy bed and walk.”
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Immediate healing, resurrection-like command (Greek: anistemi).
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Significance: ignores self-pity, performs the miracle directly.
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Steps in healing: man immediately rises, strength restored, carries his bed/stretcher.
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Application: miracles require obedience and action; prior failures don’t prevent success.
Verse 10–12: Testing by Religious Leaders
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Sabbath controversy: “It is not lawful to carry thy bed.”
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Misplaced focus: rules over divine action.
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Observation: miracle transcends human rules; legalistic thinking may blind people to God’s power.
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The healed man didn’t initially know who Jesus was → possible to receive miracle without knowing fully, but sustaining it requires knowing God.
Verse 14: Warning Against Sin
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Jesus instructs: “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”
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Connection: healing is not just physical but spiritual; continued obedience sustains the miracle.
Key Observations & Theological Lessons
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The man who had no human helper was found by the Son of Man who created all men.
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Healing is a believer’s right; Jesus administers it within the covenant of creation, restoring balance to the universe.
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Miracles point to Christ as the central figure (water symbolism, “man of the hour”).
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Faith, obedience, and direct encounter with God are crucial.
Practical Applications
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Everyone can receive a miracle.
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God makes healing and restoration possible.
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Personal faith and obedience maintain the miracle in daily life.
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Step of faith is often required; God provides directly.
365 Daily Thought Stirring Stories from the Field
In 1999, Dony and Kathryn established Cup & Cross Ministries International with a vision for restoration of New Testament theology and praxis. Today they have over 50 years of combined commitment to Kingdom work. This book invites you to spend a few moments each day on the field sharing their experiences of serving as pastors, evangelists, chaplains, consultants, church trainers, researchers, missionaries and educators of His Harvest around the globe.
