Bulgaria's President Says Early Parliamentary Election Inevitable

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev said on January 28 that an early general election seems inevitable as democracy in the country "has been losing momentum", according to intellinews.

Speaking to journalists to mark his assessment of the first two years after taking office, Radev indicated that he would back a new political party, partially confirming speculations that have started several months ago that the president could launch his own political project. 

Should Radev take this step, he would likely gain the support of many Bulgarians disappointed with the current government, as he is increasingly seen as the new "saviour of the nation".

The current government formed by Boyko Borissov's Gerb party and the far-right United Patriots is increasingly divided by internal tensions, and a poor showing in the May European Parliament elections is seen as likely to lead to a snap election later in the year. 

Radev said that an early election is "no longer a matter of if but when", but also called for a revision of electoral legislation in order to guarantee fair and transparent elections.

Several months earlier Radev objected to calls by the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), which backed his candidacy for president, for early elections, saying that it was not an option at the time, and urging the government to start doing its job.

Trust in Bulgaria's parliament was at a critically low level of around 8%, according to latest polls. Moreover, Bulgarians have lost trust in the prosecution and all state institutions except the presidency.

Radev also pointed out that important laws were being changed through regulation, thus avoiding public discussion and impact assessment. Being a constant critic of...