The inauguration of Bulgaria’s new head of state Rumen Radev started with an official ceremony in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sofia. Outgoing Premier Boyko Borissov, National Assembly Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva, political leaders, magistrates, military men and diplomats are attending the event. Outgoing President Rossen Plevneliev and Bulgaria’s new President Radev bowed to the national flag and greeted the guards of honor. Rossen Plevneliev said in a solemn speech that his mandate was successful, although it was a difficult one. In Plevneliev’s words, he managed to fulfill the priorities of his country and avoided making any strategic mistakes. He told his successor that he would also face a difficult mandate and called on President Radev to defend the rule of law and equality among people. President Rumen Radev assured that he would work together with the country’s National Assembly, the state institutions and the citizens to find the best solutions for Bulgaria. He added that he would cooperate with the foreign partners to enhance unity of Europe. I will be a President who works for the dignity of the Bulgarian people and for a society based on justice, law and moral, a society which is not a hostage to the past, but a society that looks towards the future, President Radev pointed out. The new Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces was greeted with 21 gun salutes.