site.btaUPDATED President Radev: Cabinet's Resignation Inevitable, Snap Elections Way Forward

In an address to the nation broadcast on Bulgarian National Television Tuesday afternoon, President Rumen Radev said that this Cabinet has failed, its resignation is inevitable and snap elections are the only way to go. He was speaking on the wake of massive protests against the government's budget plans and corruption.

He called for "unity, will and wisdom" and said it is a historic chance not to be missed.

"Bulgaria needs real change that will lead to the restoration of statehood and that it something that the current coalition cannot achieve," he said.

Radev commented on the Monday protests emphasizing that they included people of all generations. "Attempts to portray the protest as a revolt against the budget underestimate the event itself. Claims that this is a revolt only of the young belittle the process. There were people of all generations in the square," the President said.

He said: "The Bulgarian people have raised their voices against the state capture, corruption, lawlessness, and the refusal of the political class to hear them; against governance through money, smear campaigns, and fear; against the complacency of the oligarchs; against an unprincipled coalition that divides society into two classes: those in power, and the deceived and embittered voters." 

He said that the Bulgarian "oligarchs" this time have underestimated the patience of the veterans of the transition and failed to recognize the drive of thousands of young people "who care deeply for Bulgaria and who joined the democratic process."

To the participants in the protests and those who did not go out in the steer but still live in Bulgaria and have to endure the hardships in this country, he said, "I address you with the belief that we will not squander this chance to change Bulgaria."

According to the President, it will take unity, will and wisdom to protect civil peace from provocations. "We know from experience why we have gathered. We also know from the past that every attempt to privatize the protest robs the hopes of the majority," he added. In conclusion, Radev said that Bulgaria needs radical and real change that will restore trust in the institutions and the rule of law.