site.btaProgressive Bulgaria Leader Radev Accuses Political Circles of Attempting to Discredit Elections

The leader of Progressive Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, told election campaign meetings in Kyustendil (Southwest Bulgaria) and Pernik (West Bulgaria) that political circles have the “ill ambition” to discredit the elections because they realize they cannot win them, Progressive Bulgaria said on Thursday. 

Radev said that signals and allegations based on “fabricated NGOs” were submitted to the European Commission by the caretaker Government regarding alleged external hybrid influence.

He accused a political group with low public support of trying to gain power despite limited backing, saying it “barely gathers 7% support” and is ashamed of Bulgaria’s history and symbols. “On April 19 we will show them that it will not happen this way,” he said.

The Progressive Bulgaria leader added that those sending such signals to Brussels are damaging Bulgaria’s image by suggesting the country is dependent on external influence, stressing that voting decisions are made only by Bulgarian citizens.

Radev also reiterated that his political force would not enter coalitions with [GERB leader] Boyko Borissov or {MRF leader] Delyan Peevski, or with what he described as "dishonest and divisive actors". 

He said the party would work toward forming a “stable, progressive government,” arguing that urgent reforms are needed to fix accumulated problems.

According to Radev, voters face two paths: a “progressive Bulgaria” or continued dominance by oligarchic interests, which he said keeps the country at the bottom of EU living standards.