Rumen Radev urges Bulgarian citizens to vote in presidential elections

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for mass voter turnout in the ongoing presidential and vice-presidential elections, emphasizing that the legitimacy of national institutions depends on high participation. Radev stated he voted for a presidential institution that is effective, accountable, and driven by national interest.

Addressing low voter turnout, Radev attributed the trend to pre-election campaigns fueled by compromises and staged events by certain political forces, which he claims have alienated citizens. He also noted that narrow margins in sociological polls may be causing voter demobilization by creating a sense of complacency in some groups or fatalism in others.

Regarding the resignation of Major General Emil Tonev, head of the National Service for Protection (NSO), Radev indicated that the Council of Ministers will base its position on the results of an ongoing investigation. He dismissed recent political provocations aimed at legitimizing the opposition's agenda as failed attempts to incite public indignation.