Rada Laykova, born on April 3, 1990, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is a distinguished Bulgarian politician currently serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the Revival (Vazrazhdane) party. She holds master’s degrees in European Studies from Humboldt University of Berlin and in European Business Law from European University Viadrina. Before her parliamentary role, Laykova served for six years as a senior advisor for European affairs to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the German Bundestag.
Laykova is also a member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group, advocating for national sovereignty and conservative European values within the parliament. Her legislative focus includes preserving the Bulgarian Lev, scrutinizing the introduction of a digital euro, and ensuring that EU policies respect national identities and democratic principles.
The debate around Bulgaria’s potential adoption of the euro has grown increasingly heated, with many warning it could come at the cost of national sovereignty and fiscal autonomy. How do you interpret the latest developments? Where does the Revival party stand in this growing divide, and do you believe embracing the euro would ultimately benefit Bulgaria—or bind it more tightly to decisions made in Brussels rather than Sofia?
What you’ve described is, in our view, a clear case of EU overreach in Bulgaria. The growing pressure to adopt the euro without meaningful public consultation is deeply concerning. Our party has been highly critical of this approach—after all, we gathered over 600,000 signatures, representing roughly 10% of the Bulgarian population, to initiate a national referendum on the matter. Despite this significant public support, the referendum was denied, which we see as a troubling erosion of democratic process.
As a sovereignist party, we’re alarmed by this trend. In the European Parliament, we are a founding member of the newly formed group Europe of Sovereign Nations, where we collaborate with like-minded parties committed to national self-determination. We’re not opposed to European cooperation per se, but we believe firmly that major national decisions—especially those affecting economic sovereignty—must reflect the will of the people, not just follow a centralized EU agenda. Bulgaria deserves the right to choose its economic future freely and transparently, which, regrettably, is not the case today.
Vazrazhdane has played a prominent role in the protests surrounding this issue. However, two of your members—Mr. Chorbov and Mr. Krumov, if I’m not mistaken—were reportedly arrested. Have they been released? More broadly, would you say Bulgaria is drifting toward authoritarianism? Is democracy still functioning in Sofia
That’s a very pertinent question. As I’ve already emphasized to European institutions and the European Parliament, our legitimate protest in defense of Bulgaria’s national currency was followed by clear political repression. In addition to the two MPs you mentioned, five members of our party—including youth activists—were detained. These individuals have no criminal records; their only ‘offense’ was participating in a peaceful protest. They were held behind bars for over a month. Although I’m relieved they’ve now been released, their imprisonment was clearly intended to intimidate us and suppress dissent. We haven’t seen this kind of political persecution since the Cold War—people jailed simply for expressing their democratic convictions.
Vazrazhdane (Revival) has long faced stigmatization and sustained attacks from the media and the broader liberal establishment. How do you navigate this ongoing pressure? What issues are you raising in the European Parliament, and what core values are you committed to defending? Lastly, how do you view the rise of national-conservative and sovereigntist movements across Europe? Do you believe this wave will soon translate into electoral victories?
We’re undoubtedly engaged in an uphill battle, as we face clear double standards in both the media and the political landscape. Our positions rarely get airtime in prime-time media, and when we do get coverage, it’s often overshadowed by politically motivated attacks that have little to do with our actual work. For instance, during a recent interview with national TV that lasted over 20 minutes, only about 30 seconds were aired, completely missing the point I made. When you’re the only voice advocating for sovereignty amid a chorus of establishment politicians repeating the same narrative, it’s difficult to break through. However, on the European and international stage, we’re forming alliances with like-minded organizations, such as the Europe of Sovereign Nations and Patriots for Europe. Together, we’re pushing for a European Union that respects national identity and protects the legitimate interests of sovereign nations like Bulgaria—whether economic, cultural, or geopolitical. We stand for national dignity, sovereignty, and democratic participation. While the changes we seek may not be immediate, the global developments show a clear shift in the will of the people, and I believe we are at the forefront of a historic movement toward more democratic governance.
You’ve mentioned strong cooperation with parties like Germany’s Alternative for Germany and France’s Rassemblement National. How would you assess this partnership? Given the differing positions on issues such as peace in Ukraine and relations with Russia, how do you navigate these differences within the broader European context?
Our cooperation is based on a growing concern among Europeans who feel disconnected from Brussels. Small business owners, families, and communities want decisions made closer to home, not imposed by a distant, bureaucratic authority. I see this firsthand when visiting colleagues in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. We’re not just part of a parliamentary group; we’ve also founded a political party, the Europe of Sovereign Nations, led by my good friend Stanislav Stojanov. Our aim is to build bridges with like-minded parties, focusing on cooperation without coercion. While we support Europe as a whole—after all, Bulgaria is a founding nation of European civilization—we oppose a centralized model that imposes a one-size-fits-all approach and ignores national realities.
We’re witnessing a conservative movement in the U.S. led by Mr. Trump and his allies. Do you think this could spark a similar wave in Europe? Could it help challenge the prevailing liberal, woke culture? Is it time for conservatives to form an international coalition? Leftists, liberals, and greens are well-connected, with their own conferences, publishing houses, and intellectual frameworks. Is it time for the right to build a similar infrastructure in Europe?
Thank you for the question. I believe the so-called European elite is genuinely panicked and uncertain about how to respond to the new Trump administration. From my perspective, representing Bulgaria, a nation that values tradition, sovereignty, and family, we view these developments in the U.S. with great interest. At the European level, these values have been sidelined by various policy proposals. What’s happening in America is part of a global reawakening, where people are asserting their right to national identity, economic freedom, and a government that serves its citizens—not just global ideologies or distant bureaucracies. This shift is cultural and reflects a desire to return to foundational principles like national independence, family values, and freedom of speech, as JD Vance highlighted in his speech at Munich. These themes are also gaining traction in Europe. While each country has its own context, the message is the same: citizens want to be heard and reject being governed from above. The overbearing ideology of the EU must be contained. We see clear parallels and solidarity between the conservative momentum in the U.S. and the sovereignist movements in Europe. We are committed to restoring the balance between tradition and progress—rooted in tradition but always looking forward.
If we turn our focus to the Balkans, it seems something new is unfolding. For example, VA is growing, and there are emerging developments in Romania. How do you assess these changes? Romania is facing challenges, with threats to its constitutional integrity and freedom of speech. Meanwhile, in Serbia, while there is some unrest, the country remains committed to traditional values, sovereignty, neutrality, and a Russia-friendly, pro-peace stance. Could the Balkans be the source of a new political impulse for Europe?”
I often hear from my Western European colleagues that the preservation of European values will come from the East. There’s hope in this, not just within our nations but also in the West, as we continue to uphold traditional values and a way of life that resists ideological shifts like those surrounding climate or gender. Movements in Serbia and Romania, standing for identity, sovereignty, and national interests, are gaining traction. All three nations—Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania—are proud of their history and share a deep desire for genuine self-governance, shaped by our unique historical backgrounds, which may differ from those of our Western counterparts.
As Europe’s political landscape reshapes, the Balkans will play a crucial role. The region’s push for citizens’ power is evident, especially in Romania, where we took the unlawful obstruction of the Georgescu election seriously and sought to raise it at the European level. However, the establishment parties resisted this debate in Parliament. Our chairman participated in a massive protest in Romania, where over 100,000 people gathered—an act of regional solidarity. More and more across Eastern Europe, we’re witnessing a refusal to interfere in others’ affairs. Rather, we support the right to free speech and the need to resist policies that undermine national interests.
What are your current priorities? What issues are you focusing on and bringing to the European Parliament? What goals are you and your group working to achieve at the moment?
That’s a great and broad question. As a group, Europe of Sovereign Nations, share many common goals, primarily the protection of our borders and freedom of speech. I’m also part of an internal group focused on defending freedom of speech within the Europe of Sovereign Nations and the Patriots. We aim to demonstrate that sovereignty is the purest form of democracy, and we stand with all European representatives who champion freedom, identity, and truth.
Another key issue we’re focused on is protecting Bulgaria’s currency. As a member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, I closely monitor developments related to the euro, EU funds, and proposals for a digital euro. These changes are significant as they could reshape our monetary and societal systems. I’m particularly concerned about whether the digital euro might be designed to concentrate more power in central institutions.
Currently, many Bulgarians oppose joining the eurozone, and we need to carefully consider the potential consequences of such a decision. While there’s a mechanism to leave the EU, there is no way to exit the eurozone. The eurozone is likely to undergo major changes, especially with the introduction of the digital euro, which could bring features like programmable payments or conditionality. I’m focused on ensuring safeguards are in place to prevent the centralization of power and to protect national sovereignty, ensuring decisions remain with the people and their governments.
