site.btaPresident, Vice President Take Oath for Second Term before Parliament

January 19 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev and Vice President Iliana Iotova took Wednesday the oath for their second term before the National Assembly.

"I swear in the name of the Republic of Bulgaria to abide by the Constitution and the laws of this country, and to be guided by the interests of my people in all my actions. I have sworn."

Radev and Iotova will enter into office on January 22.

The decision of the Central Election Commission declaring them as elected President and Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria was read at the beginning of the solemn ceremony.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, members of the Council of Ministers, the Constitutional Court, representatives of the diplomatic corps, the religious denominations, state institutions, former president (1997-2020) Peter Stoyanov, as well as former chairs of the National Assembly attended the ceremony.

In his address to the people and the National Assembly from the parliamentary rostrum, Radev pointed out that his first presidential term had passed in "dramatic times, when the old authoritarian model of governance reached its apogee, while public discontent with the corruption, lawlessness and propaganda on which it stepped, grew". "The civil protest in 2020 against the mobsterization of power took out in the open facts and processes hitherto hushed up by the incumbent and accepted with resignation by the public," Radev said.
   
At this point, the GERB-UDF MPs (from the former ruling party) left plenary, to which the President reacted with: "I don't like it either, but I prefer the truth".
   
In his speech Radev underscored the need of revisions to the Constitution, and ones not pertaining to the judiciary or fight with corruption alone.
   
He declared he would continue to be critical whenever he finds fault with the decisions of the executive and the legislative powers.
      
Cascades of crises and their social and economic consequences have to be dealt with, the President warned.
      
"Over the years of the [first] term, Bulgaria consolidated its strategic partnership with the United States. Dialogue with Russia was restored at the highest political level after decades. Relations with the President of China were raised to the level of strategic partnership. Those with a number of countries beyond Europe were also intensified," Radev noted.
        
"I am one of those politicians who want the Republic of North Macedonia to accede to the European Union as soon as possible. That is precisely why we have to help our brothers quickly overcome the ideologemes from the totalitarian past and achieve the criteria for membership. As a responsible EU member, Bulgaria should integrate in it partners, not problems. I shall affirm my position as President of all Bulgarians that the equality of the Bulgarians in Macedonia, many of whom are also Bulgarian citizens, should be guaranteed by their incorporation in the country's Constitution along with the other parts of peoples. This act, along with the adoption of reliable mechanisms for the eradication of hate speech and preservation of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, should be a preliminary condition for the beginning of accession negotiations," President Radev said.

"It is my duty as head of State to steer the agenda back towards the nation's long-term goals, far beyond the horizon of politicians' terms of office. Such goals are: tackling the demographic crisis, overcoming poverty and inequality, improving the standard of living and quality of life, spiritual development, guaranteeing the country's sovereignty and security, standing up for the national interests and dignity, and affirming the positive image that Bulgaria projects abroad," the head of State pointed out.

"Unless the ruling majority achieves a swift and decisive breakthrough in the reform of the prosecution service and the judicial system, it will open the way to revanchist restoration of the status quo," Radev argued.

He outlined several key priorities on which consensus should be reached. The President stressed the need of firm political will and revisions in laws and the Constitution which should not be limited to a reform of the judiciary to make the prosecution service responsible and efficient but should also expand citizens' participation in governance and strengthen guarantees of civil rights protection. Bulgarian municipalities should be enabled to prosper socially and economically through a constitutional guarantee of financial decentralization, Radev noted.

Another strategic goal which requires consensus is tackling the demographic crisis. It is time for long-term, financially resourced policies focused on responsible parenting, mortality rate reduction and discouraging emigration, Radev said.

Yet another goal behind which the nation rally is the cause of enlightenment and education. This is a long-term investment which will not bring any political benefits but it is an obligation and historic task which brooks no delay, Radev said. He also pointed to the need of changing the healthcare model to achieve high-quality and accessible medical services.

Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte held a solemn prayer service at the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to mark the forthcoming entry into office of Radev and Iotova for a second term. 

RY/BR/KK/LG