Radev on Party, Budget and Lukoil: Analysis of Current Topics

"People are demanding everywhere" – these words, spoken by President Rumen Radev, sounded like an answer to the pressing question of whether he intends to found his own political force. The head of state made this statement in the context of an official military event – a memorial service, given in memory of the fallen Bulgarian soldiers on the occasion of Archangel's Day of the Dead.

In response to journalists' questions, President Radev categorically emphasized: "Only the party that I personally announce can be my party". He clearly distinguished himself and the institution he represents from any other organizations or movements that may be associated with his name. "March 3rd Movement", "Movement for a Presidential Republic" and any other similar formations have nothing to do with me and the institution," he added, quoted by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.

The President issued a serious warning to the citizens, pointing out that the people who present themselves as organizers of his party and collect funds in his name are fraudsters and front men of the oligarchy. This statement highlights the potential danger of abuse and attempts to speculate with political trust.

In the context of the upcoming budget discussion, the President expressed caution, emphasizing the need for a detailed analysis of the financial indicators. "I don't want to comment on the budget before we've seen the real numbers, but some things speak for themselves," Radev said. He criticized the ruling party, focusing on the manipulation of statistics, which, according to him, is used to justify inadequate decisions. The President warned of the risk of indebtedness, which will be borne by all Bulgarian citizens.

President Radev drew attention to the contrast between the enthusiasm with which the convergence report was received and the silence accompanying the budget discussion. He stressed that the task of concealing the budget deficit and reducing it to the percentage set by the government is extremely difficult, given the fact that the real deficit is likely to exceed this figure.

Regarding the topic of fuel exports and the situation with "Lukoil", President Radev stated that the measure to stop exports was necessary but belated. He stressed that the most important task of the government is to prevent fuel shortages and a price shock, which could have negative consequences for the economy and the lives of the people. The President warned that this could lead to difficult-to-predict consequences.

President Radev expressed serious concern about the change of the Chairman of the National Assembly, which happened this week. He emphasized the tendency of the political class to sink into the "mire of lawlessness". The President criticized the unfortunate reform of governance, which, according to him, introduces the practice of the so-called "house book", allowing parties to hand over power, despite the dissatisfaction of society. Radev stressed that appointments to leadership positions in the National Assembly are subject to this logic.

President Rumen Radev emphasized that the short period during which Natalia Kiselova held the post of Chairman of the National Assembly will be remembered for the fact that she "grossly violated the law with the refusal to consider his proposal for a referendum. And this was done by a professor of constitutional law,_q_ reported the Bulgarian National Television.