Political analyst Slavi Vassilev, known for his closeness to the presidential institution, dropped a media bomb on the air of BNR today. According to him, Rumen Radev plans to leave his post as head of state early this week in order to enter a direct battle for executive power through a new political project.
"People's expectations are serious - for Rumen Radev to appear on the political scene. Now is the time," said Vassilev, quoted by the national radio.
According to the forecast, which sounds more like a prepared announcement, the fateful decision could be announced on Thursday or Friday (January 22 or 23). The date is not accidental - it coincides with the anniversary of Radev's inauguration.
The plan described by the political scientist envisages a constitutional reshuffle: Radev resigns, and Vice President Iliana Yotova takes over the functions of head of state and completes the mandate until January 2027.
"I do not allow Iliana Yotova to leave the presidency, she will remain as president and will complete Radev's mandate", explained the Vassilev mechanism. The next step in this scenario is the appointment of a caretaker cabinet by Yotova and the scheduling of new early parliamentary elections, in which Radev will now participate as party leader.
Vassilev did not spare superlatives for the president's possible move, using strong, almost revolutionary rhetoric.
"If he enters the political arena, he will sweep away Borisov, Peevski, the entire status quo and will give new hope", the analyst predicts. According to him, Radev is a person who "plays for the long term" and does not leave things to chance.
However, Vassilev's words also raise serious question marks. Such a move would be unprecedented in recent Bulgarian history - for a sitting president to abdicate his constitutional duties in order to engage in party struggle. The president's critics will probably read this not as an act of courage, but as an attempt to concentrate all power in the state - both presidential (through the loyal Yotova) and executive/legislative (through the new party).
This is not the first time Slavi Vassilev has taken on the role of a voice testing public attitudes before potential moves by “Dondukov“ 2. Whether this time it is a real preparation or another attempt to put pressure on the parties in parliament will become clear in a few days.
"If this is realized, the struggle will be serious and will inspire courage in the people," Vassilev summarized, outlining the contours of the upcoming election campaign.