site.btaUPDATED Citizens to Initiate Movement for Presidential Republic and Signature Collection for Referendum

Citizens plan to establish a civil movement in support of a presidential republic and a signature collection for a national referendum to change the form of government, said Krasimir Yankov, coordinator of the initiative, at the National Press Club of BTA in Sofia, together with other representatives of the movement.

"The arguments we have and what brings us together is everything happening in the country. We are not a political party, this has nothing to do with the politicians of the status quo," Yankov explained.

"In the coming months, we are going to structure voluntary citizen councils in regional cities and municipalities to welcome anyone who wants to join this initiative. These councils will be called at the beginning of next year to establish, as a non-governmental organization, a civil movement for a presidential republic, Yankov also said.

"We want to challenge every Bulgarian citizen to think and take a stand on the issue of state governance," he said, adding that the movement will launch a platform, presidentska.bg.

Miroslava Valkova read an address on behalf of movement representatives, which stated that the personal attacks and constant conflicts between political leaders have taken the spotlight from the true priorities of the nation. This vicious practice emphasizes the need for a cardinal change in the governance of Bulgaria, said Valkova, adding that a presidential republic will allow for faster and more efficient decision-making, will limit the dependence on political compromises and will create stability.