site.btaUPDATED Progressive Bulgaria Leader Radev Says His Coalition Will Win Early Elections And Will Establish Governance with Clear Rules

Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev took part in the celebrations of the National Day in Stara Zagora, Central Bulgaria on Tuesday. He used the occasion to turn the attention the April 19 snap parliamentary vote: "We are embarking on a march for the future of Bulgaria. We will win these elections with the knowledge that we will establish a government with clear rules that are the same for everyone," Radev said.

According to him, the early parliamentary elections present Bulgaria with two choices – either a progressive Bulgaria or an oligarchy. "We want to guarantee every Bulgarian security and a decent income. Any diversion of civic energy down other intermediate paths will lead us to the well-known deadlock of the last five years," Radev added.

According to him, safeguarding Bulgarian freedom is especially important today, "when the world order is collapsing before our eyes." “Bulgarians must realize that in order to preserve our homeland – our children, our homes and our future – we must remain united. We must not give in to political or any other divisions,” Radev said. He added that it is important that the state not be left in the hands of profiteers and that this is the cause of the Progressive Bulgaria coalition.

The Progressive Bulgaria coalition, featuring Rumen Radev, was registered for the upcoming snap parliamentary elections on Monday. Radev explained that work is currently underway on compiling the lists of candidates for Members of Parliament from the coalition, which will be announced within the legally established deadline.

He expressed gratitude to the coalition partners who took part in registering the coalition. “This is an important mission with two key goals – to dismantle the oligarchic model and to strengthen statehood, and to open the way for Bulgaria’s development as a normal, progressive European state,” he said. Radev stated that he is aware there is currently pressure on everyone who is part of the new coalition, and that this is being felt. “But, as I said, this mission requires courage, because it will not be easy, nor will it be safe. However, there are enough people who will do everything possible to open the path for Bulgaria’s development,” he stressed.

Radev also thanked the VMRO party, which has already declared its support, as well as all others who will do so. “Because they clearly realize their responsibility and soberly assess that these elections place Bulgaria at a crossroads – either a progressive Bulgaria or oligarchy,” he added.

“Any diversion of civic energy into other intermediate paths will lead to the well-known deadlock of the past five years. And that means a fragmented and powerless parliament, regular governments captured by oligarchy with a short lifespan, or ugly patchwork coalitions that disgusted Bulgarians and killed hope for change,” he argued.

In his remarks, Radev commented that what is happening in the Middle East is very worrying: “The stake for stability in the Middle East is that Iran must abandon its nuclear and ballistic programme.” He noted that experience from conflicts in the Middle East over recent decades shows that any unilateral military intervention without a mandate from the United Nations leads to long-term instability and risks. “And Europe is the most affected – both by rising energy prices, which we are already seeing, as well as by higher inflation, an increased migration wave and the risk of terrorism,” Radev said.

Regarding the redeployment of tanker aircraft to Vasil Levski Airport, Radev added that it should be clear that any exercise in an allied format is planned the previous year and included in the training plans for the following year.

“Happy holiday to all Bulgarians. I thank the people of Stara Zagora for the invitation to mark the National Day together. Let us show that our own and foreign heroes did not give their lives in vain. Let us show that we preserve their memory and cherish our freedom,” Radev also said.