On the occasion of the third anniversary of stepping into office, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said that in 2019 he was defending the rule of law and interests of citizens, setting the agenda of discussions on important topics, stimulating debate between institutions and citizens and working for the Bulgarian interests as part of a balanced foreign policy.

President Radev has criticized the electoral process in Bulgaria and the "merging of a party and state.” The President has also called for the introduction of 100% machine voting and said he would continue talking about changes to the constitution, about issues in the judiciary and the balance of powers. He said he would help in the fight against corruption and pointed out that he stood as a barrier against lobbying legislation, as he vetoed 7 laws and wherever he saw a violation of the constitution, he also referred to the Constitutional Court. ‘I expect the Attorney General to work diligently in the real fight against corruption, which thrives in the sphere of public procurement. His main task is to convince society that he defended law and the public interests, the president said on the request of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev for interpretation of the head of state’s immunity. President Radev has called for investments in human resources and improving living conditions, demographics, as well as investing in education and improving young people's functional literacy.

“Some would say again that the President is a pessimist. On the contrary, I have high ambitions for Bulgaria. We can and should turn Bulgaria into a normal European democratic state where the rule of law prevails and full-fledged and democratic institutions exist, as well as security and European-standard incomes for citizens, green high-tech economy, quality infrastructure and public services. But I am also a realist, and I believe that the road to success starts with the removal of rose-coloured glasses so that we do not run into problems. We urgently need to rethink priorities and programs, long-term solutions and reforms. But in any case, the most important thing for our future success is investing in people.”

According to President Rumen Radev, the measures taken by the government in the field of education are in the right direction but are still insufficient in scope, innovation and funding. Asked about the current topic of spy scandals, the President said that Bulgaria should assert its sovereignty firmly and stop any interference with its national security. He added that it was unnecessary to politicize the topic of USSR participation in World War II and announced that he had been invited by President Vladimir Putin to Moscow on May 9, but had not yet answered whether he would attend the parade. As commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Army President Rumen Radev expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the Bulgarian army was re-equipped and called for the harmonious modernization of all troops, through technology transfer. He also promised to work for attracting foreign investments and promoting Bulgarian business, as well as protecting Bulgarian communities abroad and their spiritual integration into their homeland.

At the press conference, Vice-President Iliana Yotova proposed the establishment of an association of Bulgarian communities abroad and pointed out that she also relied on other state institutions for its establishment. The trend of young active Bulgarians leaving the countries is alarming, Yotova believes and called for 2020 to be a year Bulgarians in Bulgaria uniting with compatriots abroad.

English: Alexander Markov