Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev Announces Resignation Amid Political Turmoil
Sofia, Bulgaria (AP) — In a significant political development, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev declared on Monday his intention to resign from his largely ceremonial role. The announcement comes as the nation grapples with a prolonged political crisis that led to the resignation of a center-right government.
Radev, known for his opposition to the former government, had previously expressed support for the protests that commenced in early December. In a televised address, he confirmed his plans to submit his resignation formally to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.
Following his resignation, the Bulgarian constitution mandates that current Vice President Iliana Yotova will assume the presidential duties until the end of the current mandate. During his address, Radev stated, “The battle for the future of our homeland lies ahead, and I believe we will face it together with all of you — the worthy, the inspired, and the unyielding! We are ready. We can, and we will succeed!”
The resignation is the first of its kind by a Bulgarian head of state in the country’s post-communist era. It occurs as Bulgaria, a European Union and NATO member, faces challenges in resolving its ongoing political crisis. Last month, large-scale anti-corruption protests forced the coalition government led by the center-right GERB party to step down.
Efforts to form a new government have failed, and Bulgaria is now heading towards its eighth parliamentary election since 2021. With his second mandate scheduled to conclude in 2026, Radev has hinted at participating in upcoming elections. The former Air Force general, aged 62, has consistently opposed the GERB party leader, Boyko Borissov, and Delyan Peevski, a sanctioned politician whose MRF New Beginning party supported the outgoing coalition.
While Radev did not clarify his future plans during his announcement, he has acknowledged the possibility of forming a new political party. He remarked on the necessity for a party that “unites all democrats — left and right — regardless of where they belong or whether they are politically active at all, because we all need fair elections and democratic, free development.”
