Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and Vice-President Iliyana Yotova took an oath for their second term in office

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12:37, 19.01.2022

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and Vice-President Iliyana Yotova took an oath for their second term of office. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the National Assembly in Sofia at 10.00 a.m.on 19th of January 2022.

"I swear in the name of the Republic of Bulgaria to abide by the Constitution and the laws of this country, and to be guided by the interests of my people in all my actions. I have sworn."

The decision of the Central Election Commission declaring them as elected President and Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria was read by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Christian Vigenin at the beginning of the ceremony

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, members of the Council of Ministers, the Constitutional Court, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the religious denominations, state institutions, former president (1997-2020) Peter Stoyanov, as well as former chairs of the National Assembly attended the ceremony.

Democracy and the rule of law are the foundations we need to restore. All good intentions depend on bringing Bulgaria back on track. Without the strengthening of the statehood, our country cannot use its full potential, Rumen Radev said in his address to the 47th National Assembly after he was sworn in for his second term as President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Radev pointed out that there is an anti-mafia consensus in Bulgaria, uniting the Bulgarians, who have stated it during the protests in the squares and in front of the ballot boxes. Bulgarians voted for many different parties, but with the idea of justice and lawfulness, the head of state added.

"From now on, the state should not be governed through the screen, on the phone, under the table or behind the scenes. Corruption must be crushed in order to survive as a state and society," he said.

He declared the presidency's support for all parties working to strengthen the rule of law, ensure a transparent media environment and effective state institutions.

President Radev reiterated that if the ruling coalition does not hurry with the reform of the judicial system, they will open the way for revenge on the status quo. He therefore called for a clear political will, legal and constitutional changes.

According to the President, the changes in the constitution should not be limited to the revision of the judicial system in the direction of a responsible and effective Prosecutor's office, but also to expand civic participation in governing the country and strengthen guarantees for human rights.

"Democracy is incompatible with public apathy. It needs not just voters, but active citizens with ambitions for the country's future and tools for their participation in building that future. Constitutional guarantees for the separation of powers and transparent and predictable legislative process," he noted.

According to him, the decentralization of municipalities should be regulated by the constitution in order to guarantee the opportunities for economic recovery.

Measures are needed to tackle the demographic crisis and improve education and healthcare, Radev said.

"We have to deal with a cascade of crises and their social and economic consequences. This task is already on the agenda of the government and Parliament. I remain open to dialogue and share the responsibility for difficult but unpopular and necessary decisions," he added.

He clarified that he will continue to be critical when he finds the decisions of the legislature and the executive to be incorrect.

Rumen Radev's address began with a negative assessment of the previous regular government. This provoked the MPs from the PG of GERB-UDF to leave the plenary hall.

"It is naive to think that after more than a decade we have allowed corruption to grow and arbitrariness to spread. Starting today, we will work for tomorrow to return Bulgaria to the path of law and democracy. The old regime is in the past, but dismantling the legacy of the previous power model will take time," he said.

After the ceremony in the National Assembly, Radev and Yotova went to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte gave a solemn prayer.