FORMER AIR FORCE CHIEF, GENERAL ROUMEN RADEV IS BSP’S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

The national council of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party’s (BSP) nominated former Air Force commander Roumen Radev as its candidate in the presidential elections on 6th of November, BSP party leader Kornelia Ninova said on 17th of August after a secret-ballot vote. She announced that Roumen Radev was chosen for candidate president at the secret ballot with 99 votes. The other two candidates Roumen Gechev and Tasko Ermenkov received 38 votes and respectively 13 votes.

General Roumen Radev said that before being nominated for presidential candidate, he had taken a firm decision to leave the Bulgarian Army. He pointed out that at the end of July he received a surprising call from Kornelia Ninova, in which she informed him that he was nominated by the party structures as presidential candidate and asked him whether he would accept the nomination. It was rather surprising, at the time I was discussing other things, plans for my retirement, Radev commented and said he had requested time to respond.

I gave my consent to Mrs. Ninova on the phone on 2nd of August, after hearing statements by the defense minister and the prime minister in Graf Ignatievo airbase, the former commander of the Air Force said. Regarding the upcoming presidential elections Radev said he had flown various aircraft equipment in many complex conditions and always found the way to the airport. When asked what conditions he set to accept the nomination, Radev said there was clear agreement and arrangement, that he was open to suggestions, but always judged by conscience and conviction.

Accordingly, there was a condition towards me as well - to win the elections and to work for Bulgaria, he added. As regards the candidate for vice president, he said the topic was very serious and he would present his views to the partners in a broader coalition.

BSP will participate in the presidential elections in a broad left-wing coalition. This was decided by the National Council of the party. The next plenum of the party will decide how the coalition will be called and which parties will join it.