България в еврозоната – дефицити в дебата
Bulgaria in the Eurozone — Deficits in the Debate

Author(s): Rossitsa Toncheva
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Governance, Economic policy, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: Bulgaria; Eurozone; Stakeholders; Debate; Deficits in the Debate
Summary/Abstract: This article examines the methodological deficiencies in the public debate concerning Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone on 1 January 2026. The analysis does not contest the decision on its merits; rather, it critiques the manner in which the decision is being discussed — primarily through aggregate averages, a conflation of desired outcomes with feasible ones, and a disregard for the distributional consequences across distinct social groups. The central argument is that every strategic decision made by representative authority must be accompanied by a clear recapitulation of the desired and undesired consequences for each specific stakeholder group. Drawing on game theory (cooperative versus non-cooperative games and the zero-sum premise), systems theory (stability is determined by the weakest element), and historical precedents (fiscal instruments in Italy, complementary currency systems in Western Europe), the paper proposes a three-tier methodological framework: classification of economic agents, identification of their respective interests, and impact assessment for each group individually. The paper contends that the debate operates with antinomies — logical constructs in which both opposing positions are equally defensible — and that a resolution can therefore not be found within the debate itself. The conclusion is that the debate as currently conducted is methodologically flawed and requires a comprehensive rethinking of public governance with respect to the ethical dimensions which has not to presuppose a total segregation of society, and with respect to the strength of analytical argumentation.

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