President Rumen Radev: “The Government Is Hamstrung – Resignation Is Urgent, Early Elections Are the Only Way Forward”

The long-suppressed discontent of Bulgarians has spilled onto the squares. Thousands in the capital and major cities chanted ‘Resign’. They were not stopped by fearmongers, power outages, or broken escalators in the metro. Nor were they deterred by attempts from the political class and its media mouthpieces to sow division among the protesters, because there are sentiments that transcend any divide — the expectation of justice, the personal dignity of free citizens in a democratic country, the responsibility to secure a future for one’s children, and the pride of citizens in a sovereign European state, President Rumen Radev said in an address to the Bulgarian people broadcast on Bulgarian National Television on December 2.

"Attempts to portray the protest as merely a revolt against the budget underestimate the significance of the event. Claims that this is a revolt only of the young belittle the process, as the square was filled with people from all generations. Bulgarians voiced their opposition to a state capture, corruption, lawlessness, and the political class’s refusal to hear them; to governance through money, smear campaigns and fear; to the complacency of the oligarchy; and to an unprincipled assemblage that divides society into two tiers — those in power, ready for any form of self-serving collusion, and the deceived and aggrieved electorate, voting with hope yet receiving contemptuous indifference and arrogance from their representatives, Rumen Radev commented.

He added: “Bulgarians raised their voices and said ‘No’ to everything that has driven over a million compatriots abroad and separated them from their families. Gentlemen of the oligarchy, this time you underestimated the patience of the veterans of the transition. You also failed to account for the determination of thousands of young people who care deeply for Bulgaria and joined the democratic process.

Dear compatriots, all of you who filled the squares and raised your voices against the excesses of the oligarchy, and those who for one reason or another did not make your position public but continue to live, work, and study in our homeland, bearing the hardships and injustices of Bulgarian life — I address you with the belief that we will not squander this chance to change Bulgaria. We know from experience why we have gathered. We know from history that any attempt to privatise this protest robs the hopes of the majority. We will need unity, determination, and wisdom to safeguard civic peace against provocations.”

photo by BTA

According to him, Bulgaria needs genuine change – change that would lead to the rule of law and the restoration of statehood.

“This is something the current governing coalition is incapable of delivering. The government has been discredited; its resignation is urgent, and early elections are the only way forward. I believe we will succeed. Long live Bulgaria!” President Rumen Radev concluded his address.