NEWS

Head of State: Unless Europe shows solidarity in containing price hikes, the energy crisis will turn into a social and political one

Politicians who drag Bulgaria into war, whether out of ignorance or greed, owe answers to Bulgarians whose interests they serve, Radev stressed

Unless Europe shows solidarity in containing the rise in prices, the energy crisis will turn into a social and political one with all its consequences. This is what President Rumen Radev told the media today after attending the informal European Council meeting in Prague.

In the head of State's words, when talking about sanctions imposed by the EU, a comprehensive analysis of their medium- and long-term consequences is needed so that they may not irreversibly damage the European economy. Talking about sanctions, it should be clear that we will not allow sanctions that harm Bulgaria's energy sector and economy, the President further stressed, adding that in the run-up to the current European Council this country had successfully prevented the inclusion of nuclear energy in this sanctions package. On capping natural gas prices, the President said that there is a will to tackle the price crisis, but specific mechanisms and steps are still being considered.
 
Politicians who drag Bulgaria into war, whether out of ignorance or greed, owe answers to the Bulgarians whose interests they serve, the President said in response to a question about Democratic Bulgaria's criticism that he had not joined the declaration adopted by some countries of Eastern Europe regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. I did not sign the declaration on Ukraine's accession to NATO in full conviction because right now that would mean a NATO-Russia war, Rumen Radev stressed. I will keep on being responsible to the Bulgarian citizens and as President and supreme commander-in-chief I will work against Bulgaria's involvement in the war, no matter under what nice phrases it is disguised, the President further said. In the head of State's words, it is astonishing that in view of the energy and economic crisis across Europe, Democratic Bulgaria is rushing to draw this country into the war even before the parliament is convened. It is hard to believe that the leadership of a coalition that claims to be democratic and ethical in politics can use such outright lies and manipulations, the President further said.

Rumen Radev expects the parties in the newly elected National Assembly not to forget that they should put the interests of the Bulgarian citizens first. Regarding the constitutional procedure for forming a cabinet, the President reiterated that he would give the parties enough time to discuss the principles and priorities around which they should unite so that a ruling majority could be formed and a cabinet elected. It is essential to have a parliament because the Bulgarian constitutional model of power is based precisely on the National Assembly, Rumen Radev concluded.