site.btaSocialist Party Nominates MEP Iliyana Yotova as Its Vice Presidential Candidate

Socialist Party Nominates MEP Iliyana Yotova as Its Vice Presidential Candidate

Sofia, September 10 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) announced Saturday that it is nominating Iliyana Yotova, a socialist Member of the European Parliament  and member of the BSP leadership, to be its vice presidential candidate. The decision was made public by BSP leader Kornelia Ninova at the beginning of a party meeting.

Participating in the meeting are the members of the Executive Bureau and the National Council, the socialist MPs, local BSP leaders and mayors.

Yotova has long been tipped as a potential running mate for BSP's presidential candidate, retired Air Force commander Roumen Radev, as her strong party affiliation is seen as a fine match to the politically unaffiliated Radev.

Addressing the BSP meeting on Saturday, Radev said that he will keep his independence, will work for the national security, the dignity of Bulgaria and each anad every Bulgarian.

"My nomination shows that there is one party in Bulgaria which is making progress and which can take responsibility," he said and went on to urge the BSP to try to entice all people who are opposed to the establishment, regardless of their political affiliations.
 
Radev also spoke of a crisis in the government values and of a lack of a long-term government visition for this country.

Turning to Radev, Yotova said the air in the meeting hall was laden with huge trust in him. She went on to lash out at President Rosen Plevneliev and said he was appointed rather than elected, and has emptied of meaning the presidential institution.

Having said that, Yotova promised a campaign that will be free of confrontation and hatred and said it will have a message for every Bulgarian. She also said that they will "build friendship and bridges" in their foreign policy and relations with Europe and the rest of the world, including Russia.