Radev

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor has congratulated Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on his re-election. He wished him a lot of success in performing important tasks, Pahor’s office said in a press release on Monday.

The presidents also discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and stressed the importance of efforts by both Slovenia and Bulgaria to raise vaccination rates.

Ukraine Summoned the Bulgarian Ambassador due to President Radev's Statement on Crimea

In connection with questions asked by the media related to interpretations of the words of President Rumen Radev from the pre-election debate on November 18, 2021 on his position on the issue of Crimea, the press office of the head of state informed:

Congratulations to the winners. I hope that their promises will come true, not my predictions. Thanks to all the citizens who voted for us in the first and second rounds. We ran because we thought there was a way to overcome the division, and most of all because we were worried that democracy was in danger.

Rumen Radev is the New-Old President of Bulgaria

The United States is deeply concerned by statements by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, in which he describes Crimea as "Russian". This is stated in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

Ukraine Summoned the Bulgarian Ambassador due to President Radev's Statement on Crimea

The most important thing is the strongest possible foreign policy activation and the strongest possible speaking and explanation of our position, which has been lacking in recent years. This was stated to BNR about the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia by Milen Keremedchiev, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economy of Bulgaria.

Newly re-elected President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after his victory in the presidential election in Sofia, 21 November 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

His centre-right rival, Anastas Gerdjikov, came far behind with 31.9 per cent in as yet incomplete results. However, in a sign of widespread political apathy, the turnout was at an all-time low of only 34.1 per cent.

Rumen Radev, who ran his campaign on an anti-corruption platform, won a second term as president of Bulgaria after defeating Anastas Gerzhikov by 66 percent to 32 percent, world media reported.

Rumen Radev and Iliana Yotova received 66.70%, Anastas Gerdjikov and Nevyana Miteva - 31.82%. This is shown by the CEC data for processed 99.82% SEC protocols in the REC. 1,537,347 voters voted for Rumen Radev and Iliana Yotova. For Anastas Gerdjikov and Nevyana Miteva the votes are 733 307. With the option "I do not support anyone" voted 34 092 voters, or 1.48%.

Today is a day of reflection before the second round of the presidential election. On this day, political agitation and the publication of sociological data on the attitudes of voters is prohibited. The ban lasts from 00.00 today to 20.00 on election day on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned our ambassador to Kiev Kostadin Kojabashev because of the words of Rumen Radev during the election debate yesterday with Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov. The head of state said Crimea "is currently Russian territory." Radev explained that his position is the same as in 2016 - "it is important to have pragmatism in foreign policy.