Peace is possible only through rules and international institutions, and not through informal councils with unclear functions. This was stated by President Rosen Plevneliev (2012 - 2017) in an interview with BNT, in which he commented on the Bulgarian signature under the Charter of the Peace Council of Donald Trump, the future of strategic relations with the US and the emergence of President Rumen Radev on the party stage. According to Plevneliev, the possible "voluntary abdication" Radev's would be unprecedented for Bulgarian democracy and would lead to a serious rearrangement of the political space.
BNT: Mr. Plevneliev, how do you assess Bulgaria's participation in the so-called Peace Council of Donald Trump and the signature placed under the charter by the resigned Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov? Was this a good move?
Rosen Plevneliev: "My personal opinion is clear – if it were up to me, I would not put my signature under such a document. The reason is simple: neither President Trump, nor President Putin, nor a large part of the heads of state participating in this council are a symbol of a systematic effort for peace. Peace can only exist where there are rules and functioning institutions. Today we see how these leaders are destroying the rules of the international order instead of creating them. The real path to peace runs through the UN and the Security Council – through debate, the search for consensus and legitimate solutions. There can be no peace by creating parallel bodies with unclear functions and rules. However, I understand why the Bulgarian government has signed on and I see three main reasons for this."
BNT: Who are they?
Rosen Plevneliev: "The first reason is the personality of Nikolay Mladenov. He is an exceptional diplomat – the best that Bulgaria has, and he deserves full support in his mission for peace in Gaza. I hope he succeeds, but this is only possible with respect for the rights of both the Palestinians and the Israelis, and with respect for the two-state principle. The second reason is the argument of Prime Minister Zhelyazkov, with which I agree – it is better for Bulgaria to be at the table than on the menu. This is a pragmatic and reasonable position. There is also a nightmare scenario: in a few months Bulgaria will have a left-wing president, a left-wing populist prime minister and a populist parliamentary majority, while presidents Trump and Putin divide the world and spheres of influence. In such a context, it is better to be a participant, not an object. The third reason is Bulgaria's strategic partnership with the US, which is yet to deepen. A nuclear power plant is under construction, a decision is pending on the fate of "Lukoil" - the largest refinery in the Balkans. This could become an American investment. That is why I understand the government's pragmatic arguments. However, my arguments, as a former president, are primarily moral."
BNT: You talked about a possible future with a left-wing president and a left-wing prime minister. How do you see Rumen Radev's appearance on the party scene?
Rosen Plevneliev: "Every president remains in history with no more than one sentence. The sentence for President Radev will be: "abdicates from office". He is leaving the presidential institution to fight for power and become prime minister. For me, this is a serious downfall of Bulgarian democracy – something that no head of state has ever allowed himself to do. This is the third abdication in the history of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, but the abdications of Battenberg and Ferdinand were for completely different, involuntary reasons. Here we are talking about the first voluntary abdication of a Bulgarian president – an act that does not help our democracy in any way. It was obvious from the very beginning that Rumen Radev's understanding is not to be a unifier of the nation, but to fight for power."
BNT: Will this lead to a realignment of voters?
Rosen Plevneliev: "Categorically yes. I hope Bulgarian citizens will vote wisely and realize who is who. What alternative is President Radev, after nine years in power, appointing seven caretaker governments and signing the "Botas" agreement in the way he signed it – at the last moment? I expect a rearrangement in the political space and, God willing, more democracy, less populism, more coalition culture and clear long-term priorities for Bulgaria."
BNT: Is a future collaboration between GERB and Rumen Radev's party possible?
Rosen Plevneliev: "Categorically not. I believe that GERB will be in the comfortable position of being the only real political opponent of Rumen Radev. My big fear is another one – that in 2026 we may witness one of the greatest betrayals in Bulgarian politics. This would be a decision by the PP–DB, who define themselves as a pro-European and pro-democratic bloc, to cooperate with President Radev – the same person who called them "charlatans". If this is not the case, I expect a clear and categorical refutation from their leaders. To come out and say: “We will never and in no way cooperate with President Radev. DB states it clearly, however, PP is silent – the same ones who were born under the wing of President Radev, who supported him in his re-election, and then were called "charlatans". We all remember the posters "President Radev is the president of the honorable". History developed in a completely different way."