Bulgaria prepares to join eurozone amid fears of Russian-backed disinformation

Balkan country will become 21st country to adopt EU currency, with policymakers hoping move will boost economy

Bulgaria is preparing to adopt the euro in January amid fresh domestic political turbulence and fears that Russia-aligned disinformation is deepening distrust of the new currency.

The Balkan country of 6.5 million people will become the 21st country to join the eurozone on 1 January, as policymakers in Brussels and Sofia hope it will boost the economy of the EU's poorest nation and cement its pro-western trajectory.