The "Narodna Sila" (People's Power) Initiative Committee has officially announced its contenders for the country's highest state offices for the upcoming presidential elections in October. During a press conference held today, the candidacies of Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dimov for president and Gen. Dimitar Shivikov for vice president were presented.
The chairman of the Initiative Committee, Valentin Kardamski, justified their nomination by citing the need for the country to be governed by erudite and competent individuals with an active civic stance. According to him, future state leaders must possess clear national causes and realize that sovereignty is not synonymous with isolation, but rather the ability to protect national interests and make independent decisions. "We are nominating Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dimov and Gen. Dimitar Shivikov, who uphold sovereignist principles and understand the need for Bulgaria to be a strong state that does not sever its diplomatic relations with any country in the world," added Kardamski.
In his program, Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dimov outlined ten key priorities, with the following taking a leading role:
- Upholding a policy of peace and neutrality;
- Economic and financial sovereignty;
- Protection of national security and defense capacity;
- Restoration of dialogue with Russia;
- Expert governance, direct democracy, and freedom of speech;
- Countering corruption and preserving Bulgarian identity and traditional values.
Gen. Dimitar Shivikov stated that he accepted the challenge, believing in the strength of the Bulgarian people and their desire to support a real alternative. He emphasized that as vice president, he plans a visit to Russia, expressing the opinion that Crimea is Russian and that the country should not be perceived as an aggressor. In his words, although the presidential institution has limited powers, it is extremely influential as long as a person of integrity stands at its helm.
The Initiative Committee also presented biographical data on the candidates:
- Assoc. Prof. Georgi Dimov was born in 1981 in Ruse. He is a scientist and lecturer, a graduate of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with degrees in Archaeology and History. He has specialized at a number of research centers, is the creator of numerous patriotic initiatives, and serves as chairman of the "Narodna Sila" civil movement.
- Gen. Dimitar Shivikov was born in 1963 in the village of Kurtovo Konare, Stamboliyski Municipality. He graduated from the "Vasil Levski" National Military University and the "G. S. Rakovski" Military Academy. The Land Forces officer has held command positions in the 68th Special Forces Brigade and the Land Forces Headquarters. He commanded our contingents in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2012, he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed commander of the 61st Stryama Mechanized Brigade.