President Radev: I call on political parties to stop playing with the fate of the people and the future of the country

I call on political parties to stop playing with the fate of the people and the future of the country. In this situation, I will give a few more days in the hope that the negotiators will realize that their responsibility is not only to their parties and voters, but to the entire Bulgarian people. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in response to a journalistic question regarding the suspended negotiations to form a regular government before the handing over of the first mandate for forming a cabinet within the framework of the 51st National Assembly.

According to the head of state, there was enough time for the parliamentary parties to fulfill their responsibility under the Constitution. It is a demonstration of irresponsibility to lightly scratch everything and throw the country into another early parliamentary election with so many pending problems, Rumen Radev said.

Asked to comment on the lack of an adopted state budget, the president pointed out that this is a matter that is within the prerogatives of the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly and expects the new budget framework to be in the interest of both citizens and the Bulgarian economy, in order to guarantee competitiveness and prospects. "Exactly a year ago, I stated that we are entering 2024 with half-baked solutions to the main challenges. Today, the feeling is growing among Bulgarians that we have taken a steady course towards uncertainty and instability, that we are wasting valuable time, and the political class is incapable of providing them with any solutions - from basic problems to strategic challenges," Rumen Radev also said.

In response to a question about the upcoming election of a new Prosecutor General, the President pointed out that the current composition of the Supreme Judicial Council has repeatedly demonstrated dependencies and is subject to the current political situation. Therefore, in this situation, according to the Head of State, and especially with the expiration of the mandate of the Supreme Judicial Council and with only one candidate, this composition should not elect a Prosecutor General. “This will in no way contribute to restoring trust in the judicial system,” added Rumen Radev.

After the blessing of the battle flags and sacred flags of the Bulgarian Army, President Radev congratulated the servicemen of the Bulgarian Army on today’s day – Epiphany. The Head of State pointed out that this year the main priority for Europe will be to guarantee security and focus on the combat capability of the Armed Forces due to the increasingly deteriorating security environment. “This also applies to Bulgaria and, along with the implementation of modernization projects, it is extremely important that the first priority be investment in people,” he pointed out. Against the backdrop of the severe shortage and alarming outflow of personnel from the army, the President expressed his expectation that the National Assembly and the government will fulfill their commitment to increase the salaries of military personnel, as this step should be part of a comprehensive program to increase the motivation of personnel.

The Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Vice President Iliana Yotova participated today in the ritual of blessing the battle flags and sacred flags of the Bulgarian Army. President Rumen Radev accepted the honor guard of the representative units of the Bulgarian Army and laid a wreath at the monument to the Unknown Soldier.