About: Rumen Radev
Radev: North Macedonia must change its constitution
In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev explained at length the reasons behind his country’s veto which prevents North Macedonia from starting EU accession negotiations, and suggested the way forward to solve the issue, which includes a change in this country’s constitution.
New Bulgarian PM proposes ‘very fast process’ to lift North Macedonia veto
The new Bulgarian government will propose a "very fast" new process that should help Sofia lift its veto and unlock the start of neighbouring North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations, Bulgaria's new prime minister, Kiril Petkov, has told the Financial Times. The announcement was welcomed by Skopje.
US ‘deeply concerned’ by Bulgarian president’s Crimea comment
The United States waited until Rumen Radev's victory was confirmed in Bulgaria's presidential election run-off but then voiced its "deep concern" on Monday (22 November) over Radev's comment in a televised debate last week that “Crimea is Russian for the time being”.
‘Change continues’ is the surprise winner of Bulgarian elections
‘Change continues’, a new anti-graft political force in Bulgaria, is the surprise leader following the parliamentary and presidential elections in Bulgaria on Sunday (14 November), while the country’s President Rumen Radev is well-placed for reelection, having won 48.5% in the first round.
The biggest irritant in the Bulgarian election: The COVID certificate
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is the current favourite to win a second term in the 14 November elections, conducted together with parliamentary elections. However, the problematic COVID-19 situation and discontent over the recently introduced Green certificate might influence the outcome.
Sofia asks Skopje to stop the ‘erasure’ of Bulgarians
At the Western Balkans summit in Brdo, Slovenia, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev that the "subtle erasure" of Bulgarian identity in the neighbouring country must stop before Bulgaria lifts its veto on Skopje’s EU accession negotiations. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
New centrist faction seeks to form ‘Coalition of the honest’ in Bulgaria
Popular former interim economy and finance ministers have set up a centrist political faction to compete in Bulgaria's third parliamentary election this year on pledges to tackle widespread corruption and foster a fairer distribution of wealth.
Bulgarians put hope in ‘Harvard tandem’ to break political deadlock
Bulgarians head for the third parliamentary election for this year, hoping that this time a new political force could become the game-changer and break the political deadlock. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Bulgarians head to the polls putting hope in new political force
Bulgaria will head to its third national election this year, after the Socialists became the third political party to refuse to lead a government following July's inconclusive parliamentary election.
Slovenia aims to make EU-Western Balkans summit regular feature
Slovenia's EU presidency will host an EU-Western Balkans summit in early October and its desire is to make these summits a regular annual event as a means of accelerating the EU enlargement process, Foreign Minister Anže Logar has said.
Slavi the showman in pole position in Bulgarian election race
The anti-elite party “There is such a people”, founded by Bulgaria's popular TV showman Slavi Trifonov, is in pole position ahead of Sunday’s (11 July) snap parliamentary elections. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Graft scandals weigh on upcoming Bulgarian elections
In the two months before the 11 July parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, a series of corruption scandals have shed light on the country’s governance during the rule of Boyko Borissov’s GERB party. According to the latest polls, support for GERB is falling.
Bulgarian president: A summit with Putin is a matter of realism
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told reporters after an EU summit on Friday (25 June) that he had strongly supported the proposal of French and German leaders to hold an EU summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it would help the bloc's ambition to become a global player.
Bulgaria’s Radev hardens tone on EU climate policy
In what appears to have been a preview of his statement at the EU summit, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told journalists in Brussels on Tuesday (25 May) that the EU's climate policy comported “dangers” for low-income countries like his.
Outgoing Bulgarian PM Borissov puts forward diplomat for successor
Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday (14 April) put forward Daniel Mitov, a diplomat, as his successor although most analysts agree that the proposed cabinet will likely be rejected by the new Parliament.
Bulgaria says to block EU accession talks with North Macedonia
Bulgaria plans to voice its opposition on Tuesday (17 November) to starting European Union accession talks with neighbouring Republic of North Macedonia as the two countries have yet to settle disputes over history and language, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said.
Anti-Borissov protests in Sofia stop as COVID situation worsens
The anti-corruption gatherings in the centre of Sofia targeting the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov will stop due to the worsening situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the trio acting as organisers announced on Monday (2 November).
Bulgaria ruling party defiant as protests turn violent
Bulgaria's ruling conservative party on Thursday (3 September) resisted calls for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's government to resign, after two months of protests against his perceived tolerance of corruption erupted into the most violent day yet.
Borissov orders his ministers to obtain Russian coronavirus medicines
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Sunday (22 March) he was impressed by the statements of a Russian official who claimed that his country knows how to control the coronavirus, and that he had ordered his ministers to obtain the Russian medicines.
Bulgaria president rejects appointment of new chief prosecutor
Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev refused on Thursday (7 November) to approve the appointment of the sole candidate for the post chief prosecutor, whose nomination recently sparked a series of street protests.
Bulgaria appoints new chief prosecutor amid protests
Bulgaria appointed a new chief prosecutor on Thursday (24 October) despite months-long protests by citizens who questioned the sole nominee's professionalism, integrity and independence.
Purchase of new fighter jets by Bulgaria pits President against Prime Minister
Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev slammed on Sunday (6 January) the government of Boyko Borissov for having “perverted” the procedure for the acquisition of new fighter jets.
Bulgarian president sees democracy ‘under threat’
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a stinging critique of the government's record on corruption and press freedom Friday (9 November), saying "the foundations of democracy are being threatened to a critical degree".