Rumen Radev is no longer the president of Bulgaria and has officially left the presidency with a request for a “wave” in early parliamentary elections.
A little earlier on Friday, the Constitutional Court (SC) approved his resignation and until the end of the mandate, the head of state will be Iliana Yotova, who will also have to appoint the caretaker government.
At precisely 4 p.m., she sent Radev from “Dondukov” 2, who was greeted by dozens of his supporters.
“I am glad that 9 years ago the Bulgarians voted for me to be president and their support continues. You see how many people and it is really exciting for me. For me, this emotion is dearer than any sociology“, pointed out Radev after leaving the presidency building.
“Today was my last day as president, but also my first as a citizen who, on an equal footing with all Bulgarians, believes that with common efforts we can change Bulgaria, protect democracy, uphold the law, and accelerate economic development. So that each one of us feels protected, free and a worthy citizen of European Bulgaria. I want to tell you when you talk about the upcoming elections that they cannot stop the tide. Because we are many, as you can see, because we are together and because our cause is common – it is Bulgaria. It was an honor!”added Radev.
Together with him, the head of the president’s office, Galab Donev, and the secretary of security and defense, Dimitar Stoyanov, left the presidential institution.
“Who will save us if not you”
He refused to answer journalistic questions and explain how he intends to run in the upcoming early elections, which are expected to be held in late March or early April.
After leaving the presidency, he stopped and posed for pictures with his supporters.
He talked with them for more than 20 minutes, but he was also asked questions: “What’s going on with “Botash” and “Whose is Greenland”.
Those present chanted “Radev, Radev”, “We are with you” and “Success”.
“Who will save us if not you” chanted a Radev sympathizer.
Others were sure to shake hands with the future prime minister.
“Don’t keep him, the people love him. This is not Peevski”.
“Gopodin Radev, we are waiting for you to fix Bulgaria”.
At 4:25 p.m., Radev got into a car and left “Dondukov” 2.
The Constitutional Court terminated Radev’s powers as president
The Constitutional Court made the decision unanimously with the votes of all 12 judges who participated in the hearing.
The powers of the president are terminated ahead of schedule upon the establishment by the Constitutional Court of his resignation.
Bulgaria already has a female president and supreme commander of the armed forces.
Iliana Yotova is the sixth head of state in the institution’s 33-year history.
She will complete the term of the fifth president.
The questions to Radev remain
On Monday, Radev announced that he was resigning in favor of a future political career.
It is expected that he will appear in the next parliamentary elections.
It is not yet clear whether he will do it with his own party or use the registration of an already existing one.
Already the former head of the presidential office, Galab Donev, said that there will soon be clarity about Radev’s plans.
“We have not yet had a conversation about a political project. Soon it will become clear how things will develop. A politician must be close to the people’s problems. The authority of the state must be established on the international stage. Rumen Radev is an extremely far-sighted politician who understands the international situation very well. He has been saying for many years that diplomacy is the way out of every created crisis internationally. As a perspective and priority, he must establish Bulgaria internationally as a predictable partner.” Donev added.
Radev is the first head of state to resign from his post. So far, something similar has happened only once – in 1994, the then Vice President Blaga Dimitrova resigned from the post.
Iliana Yotova is the first female president of Bulgaria
Bulgaria finally has a female president after the unprecedented resignation of the head of state, Rumen Radev, who entered politics with his own political project.
According to the constitution, Vice President Iliana Yotova will assume the office of President until the end of Radev’s second term, which expires at the end of the year.
She will have to appoint an interim cabinet and carry out the procedure to form a regular government after early elections, which are looming in late March or early April.
She was a very active vice president, often officializing the positions of President Rumen Radev and sometimes appearing as his spokesperson.
There has been speculation for years that Yotova may also run for president in the regular elections in October, with various circles in the BSP claiming that the party may support or even nominate her as a candidate.
A similar possibility was allowed by the current leader Atanas Zafirov.
According to Mediapool sources, Radev is also ready to announce support for Yotova.
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