President Radev: Next year’s budget is inadequate in the current circumstances, new anti-epidemic measures are hasty and belated

According to President Rumen Radev, people in Bulgaria die not because of the coronavirus, but because of the chaos in the crisis management. He reiterated his call for everyone to comply with the necessary measures. The head of state described next year's budget as ruining, but said he would not veto it. He added that no president has vetoed the state budget so far, as it is an instrument of the government. However, he stressed that the ruling party should think about what will happen to the country after its term of office.

The next government will be faced with a very unfavourable situation – depleted treasury, bankrupt households and businesses, zero reforms and most likely social tensions. No President has vetoed the state budget so far, it is an instrument of the government, but this government should think about what will happen to the country beyond its term of office," the President said.

He also commented on the latest anti-epidemic measures in the country, which will be in effect between November 27 and December 21.

"The new measures to combat the coronavirus are hasty and belated in terms of a balance between health, economic and social measures. Using this crisis for PR purposes leads to loss of life. Bulgarians die not because of the coranavirus, but mostly because of the chaos in crisis management and denial of access to healthcare. My appeal to all is to observe the measures in order to take the burden away from our doctors and nurses who are working beyond their limits.When severe restrictions are imposed, this package should also include the relevant social and economic measures", the President is convinced.

Asked about Parliament' decision not to convene a Grand National Assembly, Radev said: “The draft Constitution of the ruling party came to an end even more “gloriously” than it began. The farce that took place is one of the ugliest encroachments on constitutionalism in Bulgarian history. The prime minister uses the Constitution only to win another month in power with one goal - for them to hold elections according to their system. What is happening in the Bulgarian Parliament, the approach to the Constitution - this is a scandal, this is unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law, he said.

Asked on what grounds he refused to appoint Daniel Mitov as ambassador to Romania, Radev said: "Nothing in the Bulgarian Constitution requires the President to give explanation to the foreign minister as to why he accepts or rejects a proposal for appointment of an ambassador."

Commenting on the Republic of North Macedonia's European perspective, Rumen Radev said that Bulgaria has to agree on the start of negotiations after the objective historical facts are recognized and after the process of eliminating hate speech becomes sustainable and irreversible.

For many years the Government had been making generous promises about unconditional support for its neighbour's EU membership, and the results are visible today. "Very late, after a huge delay, the Government remembered that it has to uphold the national interest, which is why it found itself in isolation, he added.

After failing to convince our European partners that the conditions of Bulgaria's national framework position, adopted by Parliament with a consensus, should be included in the negotiating framework, it would be a grave mistake if prime ministers Boyko Borissov (of Bulgaria) and Zoran Zaev (of North Macedonia) "perform a theatrical act in front of the audience" and sign another wishful declaration, like the agreement from 2017, without clear criteria, without verification mechanisms and without means to measure compliance, he said.

"Bulgaria has the biggest interest for the Republic of North Macedonia to get its European perspective. That is why we should wait for the emotions to calm down. We should arm ourselves with patience for open and calm talks so that we can see very clearly the positions of both sides and not be tempted to make quick decisions by imitating the triumph of Europeanism on the one hand and constructivism in bilateral relations on the other. Behind this façade, the problems of the Tito regime and its ideology continue to rot," the President said.

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