MARKET NEWS
After Bulgaria, euro expansion faces hurdles in remaining EU states - REUTERS
Jan 1 (Reuters) - Bulgaria became the 21st member of the euro zone on Thursday despite opposition from half its electorate, leaving only a handful of countries in the 27-member European Union yet to adopt the currency.
Although public support for the euro is high in some of the remaining countries including Hungary, eurosceptic parties in governing coalitions and parliaments are likely to hold back further expansion of the currency zone for the foreseeable future.
HUNGARY
About 72% of the Hungarian public support adoption of the euro, according to an October to November survey by Eurobarometer conducted for the European Commission. This is the highest level of support among the remaining EU countries despite Prime Minister Viktor Orban's euroscepticism.
Opposition leader Peter Magyar has said he would put the country on a course to adopt the euro if his centre-right party wins next year's election.
