Anastas Gerdjikov

The Rector of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski "Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov, who participated in the presidential elections, received support from the members of the General Assembly of the university to continue his term.

Support was received today during an online meeting.

Congratulations to the winners. I hope that their promises will come true, not my predictions. Thanks to all the citizens who voted for us in the first and second rounds. We ran because we thought there was a way to overcome the division, and most of all because we were worried that democracy was in danger.

Rumen Radev is the New-Old President of Bulgaria

The most important thing is the strongest possible foreign policy activation and the strongest possible speaking and explanation of our position, which has been lacking in recent years. This was stated to BNR about the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia by Milen Keremedchiev, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economy of Bulgaria.

Newly re-elected President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after his victory in the presidential election in Sofia, 21 November 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

His centre-right rival, Anastas Gerdjikov, came far behind with 31.9 per cent in as yet incomplete results. However, in a sign of widespread political apathy, the turnout was at an all-time low of only 34.1 per cent.

Rumen Radev and Iliana Yotova received 66.70%, Anastas Gerdjikov and Nevyana Miteva - 31.82%. This is shown by the CEC data for processed 99.82% SEC protocols in the REC. 1,537,347 voters voted for Rumen Radev and Iliana Yotova. For Anastas Gerdjikov and Nevyana Miteva the votes are 733 307. With the option "I do not support anyone" voted 34 092 voters, or 1.48%.

Today is a day of reflection before the second round of the presidential election. On this day, political agitation and the publication of sociological data on the attitudes of voters is prohibited. The ban lasts from 00.00 today to 20.00 on election day on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned our ambassador to Kiev Kostadin Kojabashev because of the words of Rumen Radev during the election debate yesterday with Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov. The head of state said Crimea "is currently Russian territory." Radev explained that his position is the same as in 2016 - "it is important to have pragmatism in foreign policy.

From now on, informed consent will not be required for vaccination against COVID-19. This was announced by the Minister of Health Stoycho Katsarov.

The topic was discussed a few days ago with the director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control Andrea Amon. Amon's opinion was that there was no medical requirement to sign such a consent.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev giving a statement in Sofia, 14 November 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

Russian forcibly annexed the Ukrainian territory in 2014 and neither the US nor the EU have recognised this act.

In the studio of "The Day Begins", sociologist Boryana Dimitrova described the debate as very important, especially for people who want to vote informe, to see the position of the main candidates. She also commented that the differences were clear. According to Parvan Simeonov, the clash between the two presidential candidates passed almost without mistakes on their part.