site.btaUPDATED If People’s Voices Continue to Be Ignored, Alternative to Current Government Will Be Increasingly Sought After, President Radev Says

Speaking to reporters in Shumen on Saturday, President Rumen Radev warned that if the voice of the people continues to be disregarded and their interests are not defended, the alternative to the current government will become increasingly sought after. He was visiting the city for the opening of a youth informatics olympiad.

Radev acknowledged Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s recent statement that a season of high political tension lies ahead. He voiced hope that those in power are aware of the critically low public trust in institutions, a distrust that, in his view, stems both from the government’s actions and from the exclusion of Bulgarian citizens from decisions vital to the country’s future.

Commenting on the upcoming visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Bulgaria, during which she and Prime Minister Zhelyazkov will tour the VMZ-Sopot ordnance plant, Radev reiterated his long-standing position that Bulgaria must continue building its own defence capabilities while also contributing to the EU’s common security policy and strengthening NATO’s collective defence potential.

Commenting on the coordination procedure for appointing a chair of the State Agency for National Security (SANS), President Radev said: “At the moment, politicians sanctioned for corruption by our strategic partners are carrying out a brutal purge at SANS and turning the agency into their own bludgeon. They are doing this through a nomination for which they want me to issue a decree. Let me be clear - it will not happen,” Radev said. Currently, Denyo Denev is serving as acting chair of SANS.