The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled proposed motifs for the next generation of Euro banknotes, centered on European nature and culture — including rivers, birds, and abstract landscapes — replacing the current architectural themes.
Public submissions during the consultation phase have included proposals such as Miguel de Cervantes, Marie Curie, and Leonardo da Vinci, reflecting citizen interest in honoring cultural icons. The ECB has not endorsed any individual portraits, emphasizing pan-European symbolism and inclusivity.
It has been 25 years, countries are much more integrated now than they were back then when the first notes were designed. So it should not be as problematic as it would have been back then. Plus the coins continue to have the national symbols.
But yes, it still is controversial nonetheless.
With the extreme right on the rise, I think the timing isn’t ideal to feed into nationalist pride.