Petar Stoychev is a candidate for MP from the "Progressive Bulgaria" coalition and leader of the list in Smolyan. He is a former Minister of Physical Education and Sports in the caretaker government of Marin Raykov, multiple winner of the World Cup in swimming marathon, world and European champion and Guinness record holder.
When asked if he was entering "new waters", Stoychev commented to bTV that politics is part of the public life of all Bulgarians. "In recent years, we have witnessed that every Bulgarian has touched it in one way or another." However, he makes a comparison with his career in sports: Swimming in icy waters and in open waters is certainly much more difficult, much more extreme, than the waters of Bulgarian politics.
Stoychev said that he received an invitation personally from Rumen Radev: "After he left the presidential institution, he invited me to a meeting, we had a conversation and convinced me to follow him in the political project he was creating.“ He refused to reveal details of the conversation, but emphasized that when he revealed this political project to him, he realized that this was the only correct solution to the political crisis in our country.“
As a leading motive for his involvement in politics, Stoychev pointed to the general desire for normality in political dialogue and for Bulgarians to go out and vote again.“
He also emphasized his personal motivation: Bulgaria has always stood highest in my heart. When it comes to the future of the country, it is normal for a person like me to stand with his face and biography. According to him, the coalition will bet on a positive campaign: “We plan to run a very positive election campaign. Normality will return with normal debates.“
He also criticizes the lack of recognizable faces in politics - The people who lead lists in some regions are absolutely unknown to society. Regarding the participation of famous athletes in the lists, Stoychev said that he does not think they are a stumbling block in Bulgarian politics. Out of 240 deputies, we are about 2%, which is an insignificant part, he commented and added: “Each one of us is a winner and has gone through many difficulties to defend our name and the honor of the homeland.“
He responded directly to the criticism of the athletes: “And why do you doubt that we cannot cope? Athletes are no less human than everyone else.“
Stoychev was cautious about future coalitions: “Specific names have never been commented on. Everything depends on the election results.“ He stressed that the main goal is to shake off the oligarchic model of government. According to him, Bulgaria is lagging behind despite its EU membership. “Bulgaria is part of the European Union, it is in Schengen, it has the euro, and we are lagging behind European countries.“ He also gave a specific example - “Can we not have a normal national stadium in 2026 where you can take your children?“
Regarding his work as a caretaker minister in Marin Raykov's cabinet, Stoychev said that major changes cannot be made within about a hundred days. “We managed to secure additional financial resources to fulfill the commitments to the elite athletes and their coaches.“
Stoychev acknowledged the need for dialogue on judicial reform and political compromises: “That's what politics is about – finding like-minded people, holding talks and building bridges.“
On the topic of foreign policy, he was categorical that Bulgaria is part of the European Union, it is in Schengen, it has the euro. The direction is clear.
The campaign is financed solely and exclusively in a legal way – through donations, Stoychev assured.