ROUMEN RADEV'S INAUGURATION CEREMONY

The official inauguration ceremony of Bulgaria's new President Roumen Radev took place on 22nd of January 2017 in the capital city of Sofia.

The order of events on Inauguration Day:

13:14

President Roumen Radev officially assumed office.

13:09

President Roumen Radev escorted President Rosen Plevneliev to the parade entrance.

12:46

President Roumen Radev was inaugurated.

12:41

Outgoing Vice-President Margarita Popova met her successor Vice-President Iliana Iotova in the office of the Vice-President and wished her success.

12:36

President Plevneliev and President Radev held a meeting in the Green Hall.

12:34

Official photo of the two presidents was taken in the Coat-of-Arms Hall.

12:33

The outgoing President Rosen Plevneliev met the incoming President Roumen Radev.

12:30

President Roumen Radev arrived at the building of the Presidency for the start of the final phase of the ceremony.

12:19

President Rosen Plevneliev arrived at the building of the Presidency to meet the incoming President Radev.

12:12

The service in St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral was over. The two Presidents are heading towards the Presidency.

11:54

The two Presidents lit candles in "St. Alexander Nevski” Cathedral.

11:39

Presidents and Vice Presidents went to "St. Alexander Nevski” Cathedral, where a liturgy will be served.

11:35

The formal march-past by the Guard of Honour begins.

11:27

The two presidents laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. A minute’s silence was held in tribute to those who died for the freedom of Bulgaria.

11:26

The Guards’ brass band played the national anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria. During the anthem, a 21-gun salute marked the change of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

11:21

President Radev said that it was an honour and responsibility to assume power from President Plevneliev in front of the representative units of the Bulgarian army and thanked him and his predecessors for their efforts in building a democratic Bulgaria.

"Let us together build a fairer society based on law and morality, freedom, tolerance and solidarity. A society that is not a hostage to the past, but a creator of the future. We owe it to ourselves and our children, we owe it to our ancestors, “Radev said. “ I will be the President of all Bulgarian citizens, regardless of party affiliation, ethnicity and religion,” the President added.

11:17

In his speech, the outgoing President Plevneliev said that his term of office was undoubtedly very difficult, yet worthy and successful. "I kept the right direction and set the right priorities. I gave, but I did not take, I fulfilled my promises.” Plevneliev said and added he might have made mistakes, but as President, he did not go wrong on important issues.  “In politics, it is important how you leave and I leave with my head held high, " Plevneliev said.

Plevneliev wished every success to the new President Radev.

11:12

President Plevneliev and President Radev went to the rostrum to deliver speeches.

11:11

The new President reviewed the formation and greeted the Guard of Honour.

11:07

The people gathered at the square welcomed President-elect Rumen Radev with applause. He will will receive the report of the Commander of the Guard and revere the national flag,

11:02

Outgoing President Rosen Plevneliev will receive the report of the Commander of the Guard, greet the Guard of Honour and revere the national flag.

10:59

President Rosen Plevneliev arrived at St Alexander Nevski square.

10:51

Official guests to the inauguration ceremony are arriving. It will be attended by Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and all ministers of the cabinet: the speaker of Bulgaria’s Parliament Tsetska Tsacheva and all Members of Parliament; the Chairperson of Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court Boris Velchev and all constitutional judges; the Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Cassation Lozan Panov; the Chairperson of the Supreme Administrative Court Georgi Kolev; Bulgaria’s Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov; President Petar Stoyanov (1997 – 2002); President Georgi Parvanov (2002 – 2012); acting head of defence vice admiral Emil Eftimov; representatives of the Ministry of Defence; Sofia’s Mayor Yordanka Fandakova; representatives of the diplomatic corps; secretaries and directors of directorates from President Plevneliev’s office; their successors from the team of the incoming President Radev; other officials. ministers, MPs and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The Bulgarina Patriarch and the chief Mufti have already arrived.

10:43

Despite the cold weather, members of the public gathered at "Alexander Nevski" square to watch the ceremony of the transition of the presidential power. Rehearsal of the 4 representative units of the Bulgarian army was over minutes ago - a solemn march with the Guards representative brass band.

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