Bulgarian President announces resignation

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said in an address to the nation on January 19 that he intended to resign.

According to Radev, he addressed the people “ for the last time ” as president; on January 20, he intends to submit his resignation letter. Radev served two consecutive terms in office. He was elected for the first time in 2017.

The president's request to resign must be approved by the Constitutional Court. Until this moment, Radev will continue to perform his duties.

“ The struggle for the future of our homeland lies ahead of us, and I believe that we will wage it together with all of you - worthy, inspired and irreconcilable ,” Radev added.

These words were taken by many Bulgarian analysts and media as a signal that Radev intends to resign in order to head his own political project and participate in snap parliamentary elections due this year.

In his address, Radve sharply criticized the ruling political elites.

Radev recalled that at the end of 2025, a new wave of protests swept the country after the government’s decision to raise taxes and social contributions for the population and firms. “ This led to the formation of a broad public consensus against the mafia. A consensus that should materialize in the upcoming parliamentary elections ,” the president said.

" Today's political class has betrayed the hopes of the Bulgarians by compromising with the oligarchy. Two-thirds of citizens no longer participate in elections. A new social contract is needed ," Radev added.