President Radev: The Power-Holders Invented a New Genre - Protest in Support of the Government

President Rumen Radev on December 9 commented on the rallies held by 'MRF-New Beginning' across the country, telling journalists that the power-holders have “invented a new genre – a protest in support of those in power”.

In the past, we used to call this 'manifestations', but the name cannot hide the obvious - the discontent is widespread," the President said.

“Bulgarians are outraged by the arrogance and superiority, by the provocations orchestrated by oligarchs seeking to discredit protests by free citizens,” the president said. “And when I say free citizens, I mean that the security services and specialised structures of the Ministry of Interior are being used by the very same oligarchs – as well as by their political opponents. I warn that this constitutes a gross abuse of power, and accountability will be sought,” he stressed.

He urged law-enforcement officers not to tarnish the honour of their uniform and not to jeopardize their professional futures “for people who will abandon them tomorrow and flee on their private planes”.

“These are the same oligarchs who sit at the top and consume all the power,” Radev continued. “On top of that, they are attempting to sow ethnic division. But Bulgaria is not their private estate. Bulgaria belongs to all Bulgarians – young and old. The square is not a place for division, but for unity. Anyone who divides Bulgarians by ethnicity or generation is working for their own party interests, not for Bulgaria.”

He also called on protesters to respect the law and to keep in mind the core reason for their presence on the streets:

“It is the belief that a Bulgaria governed by the rule of law is possible – and that together we are stronger than the mafia.”

Regarding next year’s budget, the President said:

“I called the first version a budget of deception. Now I can say it is a budget of deferred deception. The burden placed on businesses and the public has merely been delayed and will fall again next year – in 2027. What worries people, and one of the reasons they are on the streets, is that whatever the numbers look like, as long as the budget remains in the hands of the same oligarchs, Bulgarians do not believe it will be spent in their interest.”

Asked whether he was ready to launch his own political project, Radev replied:

“I will do it when you least expect it!”