site.btaPresident Radev Comments on Tuesday's MRF-New Beginning Rallies

Commenting on Tuesday's rallies held by MRF-New Beginning across the country, President Rumen Radev told journalists that Bulgarians are outraged by the arrogance and high-handedness of oligarchs, as well as by the provocations they are orchestrating to discredit the protest of free citizens. The latter was apparently a reference to massive rallies held in Sofia and other cities on December 1 to protest against the 2026 State Budget Bill.

The President said the power holders had invented a new genre - "a pro-government protest". "In the past, we used to call this 'manifestations', but the name cannot hide the obvious - the discontent is widespread," the President said.

According to Radev, the services and specialized units of the Ministry of Interior are being used and exploited by those very oligarchs against their political opponents. "This is a blatant abuse of power, and accountability will be sought," Radev said. "I urge law enforcement officers not to jeopardize their future career for people who will abandon them tomorrow and flee on their private planes," he added.

"The same oligarchs, who sit at the top and consume the whole power, are also attempting to stir ethnic division. Bulgaria is not their private property; Bulgaria belongs to all Bulgarians - young and old alike. The public square is not a place for division, but for unity. Anyone who divides Bulgarians by ethnicity or generation works for their party interests, not for Bulgaria. I urge that, when we protest, we abide by the law and remember the most important reason why we have gathered - the belief that a Bulgaria governed by law is possible, and that together we are stronger than the mafia," the President said.

Asked if he is ready to quit the presidency and launch his own political project, he replied: "I will do it when they least expect it." 

His second, and last term, expires in January 2027.

On December 2, the President made a televised address to the nation, saying that the Cabinet has failed, its resignation is inevitable and snap elections are the only way to go.