President Radev: Parties in Parliament should focus on the real problems of the Bulgarians

President Rumen Radev called on the political forces in Parliament to focus their attention on the real problems of the Bulgarians, such as impoverishment, prices, inflation, the budget. According to him, it is humiliating that the political process should be subordinated to the dilemma whether or not an ambassador will attend the opening of the new National Assembly.

The decision of the majority of political forces in the new Parliament not to invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to the opening of the 48th National Assembly and the idea to invite the President of Ukraine to make a video address are entirely within the Parliament's competence, President Rumen Radev said on October 14, but added:

"You understand that it is humiliating that the political process in Bulgaria should be subordinated to the dilemma of whether an ambassador should attend or be absent at the opening of the National Assembly. I expect the parties to return their focus to the real problems of the Bulgarians - poverty, prices, the budget, the protection of the low-income earners. As for President Zelenskiy's address, I have a feeling that the parties are competing to see which one will turn its back on the real problems of the Bulgarians faster," President Radev said.

The Head of State congratulated the Bulgarian services and the caretaker government for their reactions to Russia's attempts to link Bulgaria to the Crimean Bridge explosion.

"I would like to congratulate the security services and the government for the quick clarification of the case and the categorical response. Bulgaria is a sovereign state and our institutions must firmly prevent any attempts to involve our territories and Bulgaria's name in terrorist activities in one way or another," Rumen Radev added.

The head of state hopes that the new Parliament will be able to produce a government. He stressed that if there is no regular government, there will be no Parliament and the Bulgarian constitutional model rests entirely on the National Assembly.

"Of course, the parties have to solve the dilemma - a government at any cost with many compromises and the risk of a quick collapse or we go to new elections," Rumen Radev added.

He expects the parties to act responsibly and look for the topics that could unite them.

"People did not explicitly give their support to just one party. There will be no easy coalition, this is clear for everyone," Rumen Radev said.

Regarding the possibility of the caretaker government continuing its work longer if a regular government is not formed again, he said:

"It is not so dangerous to be ruled by a caretaker cabinet if it does its job properly. You have seen that the caretaker cabinet has curbed the rise in gas prices, we have even had a two-fold reduction, it has curbed the rise in fuel prices, it is preparing serious compensations for consumers in terms of energy carriers, so there is a solid foundation for the next government to stand on, but it depends entirely on the will of the parties and whether the parties will show responsibility to the real problems of the Bulgarians."

At the upcoming consultations, President Radev will seek answers from the parties on what solutions they are proposing to guarantee the country's air sovereignty, because we will not have an F-16 squadron for many more years and the MiGs will be grounded next year.

He reminded that the previous government had already sent requests for offers for fighter jets on lease to a number of partner countries.

"It depends on whether we get a lucrative offer. If such are received, a draft investment expenditure will be formed and will be submitted to the National Assembly and let it be clear that only the National Assembly can take a decision, so the responsibility lies with the MPs," he added.

The President commented on these issues after paying tribute at the Monument to the Aviator on the occasion of the Day of Aviation and the Bulgarian Air Force.