President Rumen Radev is increasingly likely to take the step towards real party politics in the upcoming early elections, but this move is blocked by a serious constitutional case. This is predicted by political scientist Yanitsa Petkova from the "Myara" agency, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio.
According to Petkova, rumors about the head of state's political project are already passing the phase of mere speculation. "President Rumen Radev's political project is being talked about as if it had happened. Dates are being commented on, partnerships are being commented on. Maybe we will see President Radev competing in these elections," the analyst said.
The main obstacle facing "Radev's Party" is not the lack of electoral support, but the constitutional procedure. In order to actively participate in the campaign and head the lists, the president must leave his post. If Vice President Iliana Yotova follows him in this project, the government of the country automatically passes into the hands of the Speaker of the National Assembly – in this case Raya Nazaryan from GERB.
"It is unlikely that President Radev and Vice President Yotova will allow a representative of GERB to take this post, and there is no political logic", commented Petkova regarding Nazaryan's request that she would accept the post of head of state.
This creates a deadlock: Radev cannot campaign fully while he is president, but he cannot resign without "giving" official power to his political opponents.
The other serious risk facing such a project is the lack of visible organization. No local structures or officials have been announced at this time. "We haven't seen a party, people, local organizations or the best-kept secret", Petkova emphasized.
According to her, the strategy will most likely rely on partnerships with existing formations, but historical experience shows that such coalitions "do not always bring added value" and often repel voters looking for something authentically new.