Andrey Raychev: "Demerdzhiev looks good" as a potential Prosecutor General

10.07.2026 | Politics

Sociologist Andrey Raychev sees Ivan Demerdzhiev as a possible candidate for Prosecutor General and criticizes the dependence on the "Magnitsky" Act, while other experts insist on limiting Delyan Peevski's financial influence.

Снимка от Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5 bg)

Ivan Demerdzhiev is among the possible candidates for the position of Prosecutor General. This opinion was expressed by sociologist Andrey Raychev on "Nova TV", while commenting on the Interior Minister's statements regarding Delyan Peevski's flights and his upcoming visit to the USA.

Raychev emphasized that such cases should not be resolved through the application of foreign legislation and questioned the role of the American "Magnitsky" Act in Bulgarian domestic policy.

"It is unacceptable for Bulgaria to deal with its internal issues through a foreign law," he stated, adding that the country needs an "honest and formidable prosecutor at the head of the prosecutor's office." According to him, the key problem is to overcome public suspicion that Delyan Peevski exerts influence over the judicial system.

"Demerdzhiev himself is obviously one possible candidate - he looks good, he plays boldly," added Raychev, placing the current Interior Minister among the potential contenders for the post.

A similar possibility was hinted at days ago by Kalin Stoyanov from the DPS, who also hinted at ambitions and scenarios surrounding staff changes in the prosecutor's office.

Political scientist Hristo Panchugov, however, disputed the thesis that changing individual figures in the prosecutor's office will automatically lead to real change. According to him, the solution lies in limiting financial influence.

"The way to deal with what Peevski represents in the Bulgarian economy and politics is, in fact, to cut off his money," Panchugov stated. He clarified that more transparency in public procurement and stricter control over public funds are needed, rather than relying solely on the election of new prosecutors.

Political scientist Petar Cholakov, for his part, described the actions of the Interior Minister as a serious commitment to fulfilling the promises of the ruling party. "He has taken up this topic very seriously. Obviously, those who chose this government have such hopes for him," he pointed out, reminding that Bulgaria has already shown that it has difficulty dealing with such problems on its own.

The foreign policy positions of Rumen Radev

The foreign policy line of President Rumen Radev was also discussed in the studio. According to Andrey Raychev, he avoids aligning himself openly with either of the two extreme camps regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"He only says one thing - you will not win the war with Russia through military means," the sociologist commented. In his words, "the only way out of this war is a treaty in which Russia is sufficiently satisfied and we are satisfied."

Petar Cholakov, however, believes that Radev is balancing "on both fronts simultaneously," trying to maintain the support of both the more pro-European oriented voters and those sympathetic to Russia.