Bulgaria bids farewell to lev currency, awaits euro adoption amid inflation concerns

Bulgaria will formally adopt the euro as its currency starting on January 1, leaving behind the lev, which it has used since the late 19th century. The move is unpopular with almost half the country’s population over fears it could spark higher inflation, something that mistrusted authorities have been trying to downplay. Also in this edition: a central district of Budapest bans short-term rentals starting this January in a bid to fix a housing crisis.