site.btaRumen Radev: "Hope of Change Is Already Tangible"

Rumen Radev: "Hope of Change Is Already Tangible"

Sofia, November 6 (BTA) - "The hope of change is already tangible. People want to see more security and effective institutions, a higher standard of living and quality of life, a better working economy, strangling of corruption, cartels and monopolies, an effective judicial reform," Rumen Radev, an independent presidential candidate backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), told his election night news conference at Sofia's National Palace of Culture on Sunday.

All exit polls rank Radev, 53, as the front-runner in the first round of Bulgaria's presidential elections. His estimated lead against ruling GERB candidate Tsetska Tsacheva ranges from 0.5 to 5 per cent.

"To make all this happen, it takes lofty targets, which call for a vision, leadership and responsibility, and this requires an active independent President interacting with all institutions for the attainment of these targets," said the candidate, a retired major general and former commander of the Bulgarian Air Force.

"I will not allow Bulgaria to turn into Europe's migrant ghetto," Radev said further on.

"I believe in success because we are backed by all Bulgarians who, regardless of their party commitments and partialities, voted for our pair of candidates today," Radev said.

"The change began tonight, and we trust that will be a fact at the end of next week," BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said, referring to the second round of voting.

"We have not held negotiations with political leaders and parties about support. Our position in the run-off is unchanged: we are in favour of a President who will use the Consultative Council on National Security to address the most important issues of society and who, in a tandem with the Vice President, will guarantee security and respect for and protection of rights."