site.btaPresident Plevneliev Confers with Successor Rumen Radev

President Plevneliev
Confers with Successor
Rumen Radev


Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev and
president-elect Rumen Radev conferred here on Monday. The
meeting was held at Plevneliev's invitation as a sign of
continuity in the presidential institution.

The two have discussed the political situation in the country in light of the need for coordinated, public and transparent actions by all responsible institutions following the Government's resignation, the President's Press Secretariat reported.

It transpired from the discussion that in order for a political crisis in the country to be avoided, all institutions should refrain from taking any unilateral actions, while the political and inter-institutional dialogue should serve as the basis for overcoming the tension among the public in a post-election situation.

Plevneliev and his successor have exchanged views about the necessary steps to be taken by the presidential administration and the responsible political factors in the country in the upcoming days and months. Preserving the calmness in Bulgaria is of crucial importance, along with ensuring predictability and clarity of the institutions' next actions, in accordance with the Constitutional mechanisms and procedures of continuity in the Executive and Legislature, it was noted during the meeting.

President Plevneliev has congratulated Rumen Radev on his election as Bulgaria's next president. The two have also commented the presidential elections and national referendum, which they agree were held without serious violations, democratically and legitimately.

Radev told journalists after his meeting with Plevneliev that he was assured by the President that there will be consultations between the two regarding a future caretaker government.

Answering a question whether he would coordinate efforts with Plevneliev in appointing a caretaker cabinet, Radev said that this was the spirit of the invitation to the meeting, adding that a series of steps are yet to be taken by the President. No specific names of ministers have been discussed, the president-elect noted.

"Lets not rush things. The government's resignation was tendered today (Monday), and it is yet to be reviewed on Wednesday. After that, the President assumes his powers under the Constitution for holding consultations with the parties and handing a mandate (to form a government)," Radev said.

Responding to a question, Radev said it is difficult to say when early parliamentary elections will be held, and that it depends on whether the parties in Parliament will be able to form a cabinet. "Lets not rush things," he urged.

Following the presidential election runoff on Sunday, Plevneliev
said that he will immediately congratulate and invite his
successor to a meeting so that the two can start working
together and the president-elect can be familiarized with the
presidential institution's work organization and ongoing tasks.
Plevneliev said that, as the head of State, he has made
continuity and upgrading the presidential institution a main
priority. "I would be very happy if this continued in the
future," he added.

Speaking at a news conference on election night, Radev described
Plevneliev's invitation as being statesmanlike, noting that
this is the way to guarantee continuity in the institution.
LI, PK/MYn. MORE