The protesters, led by civic groups and nationalist parties, sang patriotic songs and shouted slogans like “Freedom for the Bulgarian lev” and “The future belongs to sovereign states.” The anti-euro rally came four days before the Balkan country is expected to receive green light from Brussels to enter the eurozone.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on carpet left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on carpet front right, with military honors for a meeting in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Fabian Sommer/dpa via AP)Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official military reception at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official military reception at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures during a news conference at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures during a news conference at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a news conference at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a news conference at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official military reception at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an official military reception at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)But progress has been slow. More than half of $25 million awarded by the Interior Department — most of it planned for building the first homes -- has been held up for a lengthy process of submitting planning and design documents.
“I guess when being awarded the funds, you’re thinking: ‘Let’s get this going. We have the money, we’re ready to do this. Let’s move,” said Alyssa Johnston, project developer for the relocation. “But after a few months of being in this position, you just kind of learn that there’s a lot more to it, to acquiring the funding.”They’ve gotten $12 million through Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act, but most will go toward relocating another Quinault village, Queets, which also has flooding issues. A small amount has been earmarked to study salmon declines due to glacier melt and rising river temperatures. The tribe relies on the fish for everything from food to jobs to cultural traditions.
In 2020, Quinault took an $8 million loan for the Generations building and has continued to search for additional funding. But last year the tribe was turned down for two key federal grants.Tribal leaders say no one will be forced to move, and some residents don’t want to.