“In recent years, there has been considerable political instability and frequent changes in government leadership. This has diminished the trust between the state and the business community. Our task is to restore the confidence and faith of both businesses and citizens in public institutions,” said Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dontcho Barbalov in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio.
“The manner in which the Law on the Introduction of the Euro was adopted provides guarantees that companies cannot be subject to arbitrary prosecution, fines, or other sanctions,” Barbalov added. According to him, a balance has been achieved between imposing sanctions and safeguarding the public interest.
“The state reaffirms its role as an arbitrator in this process. On the one hand, consumers are better protected during this transitional period. At the same time, favourable conditions are created for businesses to continue operating smoothly,” the Deputy Minister of Economy emphasised.
He commented on the types of extraordinary circumstances under which the Council of Ministers may adopt temporary measures without seeking parliamentary approval – specifically, in the event of a sharp and significant rise in the prices of essential goods and services.
“This is a measure that would be triggered only in an extreme scenario. There are many provisions in the law that are designed to prevent such activation. For businesses, the law clearly defines when and under what conditions sanctions may be imposed. These must be proportionate to the harm caused by any unlawful behaviour. A balance has been struck between enforcement and protecting the public interest.” The dual price display period has been shortened—running from 8 August 2025 to 8 August 2026. Until 8 October 2025, no penalties will be applied for detected violations; instead, written instructions will be issued.
An omission related to certain systems that are unable to display dual pricing—such as semi-automatic weighing scales—has been addressed. It is important that the prices in both currencies be displayed in equal font size and colour, and that the currency labels be identical in format and size. Transparency in pricing during this period is also key, with major retailers and chains required to publish pricing data daily. The data must be made available in an open format, allowing anyone to build platforms to collect and analyse it. The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) will also monitor this process in its capacity as a state authority. A large proportion of fiscal cash registers can be updated remotely, Barbalov further explained.
“In practice, it is a matter of new software. For the majority of devices, remote installation is planned,” he added.
An intensive public information campaign is scheduled for September, October, and November, Barbalov announced on the programme Before All.
“On-site meetings will be held in 193 towns. Representatives from various ministries and regulatory bodies will meet with people and businesses to explain what is happening.” The strongest form of control is public oversight, he noted.
You can listen to the full interview here.