Bulgarias President Announces Early Resignation Ahead of Upcoming Snap Elections

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev Announces Resignation, Speculation Grows About Potential Party Formation

In a televised address on Monday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced his intention to resign, effective the following day. The 62-year-old leader stated that he would submit his resignation to the Constitutional Court, which will then review and approve the replacement of Vice President Iliana Iotova as president.

Radev’s decision comes amid a prolonged political crisis in Bulgaria, where the country is set to hold its eighth parliamentary election since 2021. The last government was ousted in December following widespread anticorruption protests, with Radev having been an outspoken supporter of the demonstrations. His resignation marks the first time a head of state has left office in Bulgaria’s post-communist history.

Radev’s second term as president is set to expire in 2026, and he has repeatedly indicated that he may participate in upcoming elections. The former Air Force general has been critical of several prominent politicians, including GERB party leader Boyko Borissov and politician Delyan Peevski, who faces sanctions from the US and UK over alleged corruption.

Radev’s approval rating stands at 44 percent, according to a recent Market Links poll. His potential plans for forming his own political party have been discussed by analysts, with some speculating that it could be a way to address Bulgaria’s ongoing political crisis.

Source: Al Jazeera