site.btaVP Iotova Predicts That President Radev Will Call Snap Parliamentary Elections for End of March

During a visit to Suhindol on Friday, Vice President Iliana Iotova predicted that President Rumen Radev would respect the parties’ wishes and would likely call snap parliamentary elections for the end of March. In any case, the first mandate will be issued after the parliamentary recess, she added.

Some political parties are already seeking to reinstate the Constitution’s previous provisions, Iotova said. She warned that the most recent constitutional amendments will likely push the country into a deadlock. Iotova added that the president’s administration will follow all constitutional procedures, government-forming mandates will be handed out in line with the basic law, and political parties will be left to make their own independent decisions.

The Vice President expressed hope for strong voter turnout in the upcoming elections. "I sense this desire among people. The state of affairs has changed a lot. Although many snap elections were held in recent years, I now see a genuine willingness to vote and bring about change in the political configuration of the country," Iotova said. 

In her words, the "unworkable" constitutional provisions were not aimed at the presidential institution as such, but specifically at President Radev, with the goal of limiting his powers. "Even when you do such wicked things, you need professionalism," she said. "What has been created now is such a mess that it will be extremely difficult to get out of," Iotova added. She noted that while many parties want to restore the old constitutional texts, there is likely neither enough time nor a constitutional majority to do so. 

Iotova also stressed that institutions should not be used to serve personal interests or to target specific individuals in politics or society. Asked whether she plans to run in the presidential elections next year, she said that the snap parliamentary elections must be prepared first. "After that, everything will fall into place," she added.

During her visit to Suhindol, the Vice President took part in celebrations marking the town’s 55th anniversary. She was welcomed by Mayor Plamen Chernev and representatives of the local administration. Earlier in the day, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Moldovan village of Korten. The title of honorary citizen of Suhindol was awarded to Todor Stanchev, who served as mayor 55 years ago.