Former interior minister Ivan Demerdzhiev did not confirm whether he would be a candidate-deputy from the "Progressive Bulgaria" coalition, but said that the answer would become clear when the lists are officially registered.
He stressed that he did not see "any enigma" around the formation and reminded that the coalition has already been registered with the CEC for the elections.
According to him, Rumen Radev is behind the creation of the coalition, and its registration through already existing parties was a technical solution due to the short deadlines until the vote.
“Time did not allow for the normal path - to create a party, build structures and then participate in the elections”, said he.
„Progressive Bulgaria“ was registered through Galab Donev and Dimitar Stoyanov, and it includes three formations – „Our People Movement“, the Social Democratic Party and „Social Democrats“.
Demerdzhiev commented that it is Radev who is the „engine“ and the rocket carrying the project and the person who gives it political energy. According to him, the big question before the elections is no longer whether the coalition will win, but whether it can reach a full majority. This forecast is also supported by international publications, according to which the new coalition of the former president enters the campaign with expectations of a strong result.
Demerdzhiev rejected suggestions of a „warming“ between Rumen Radev and GERB, commenting that he does not see such a process. The reason for the question was speculation after public appearances of representatives of various political forces surrounding the celebrations on March 3. He stated that he did not feel any tension within the coalition itself, but rather saw “great fear“ in its political opponents.
When asked who the coalition would govern with, Demerdzhiev did not give specific names, but outlined a principle.
According to him, natural partners can only be those political forces that actually recognize the goals stated by Radev – and are not looking for another temporary structure for power.
He warned that it was precisely such “assembly“ that led to the current crisis of confidence in the political system.
When asked whether there was any internal tension in “Progressive Bulgaria“, Ivan Demerdzhiev replied that he personally did not feel any. He refused to go into interpretations of publications and messages on social networks, including Desislava Radeva, and emphasized that he was not the person who should comment on other people's posts.
“I personally call everyone by their names and the facts by their real names“, he said.
The former Interior Minister also commented on the topic of the upcoming elections, defending some of the actions of the Ministry of Interior's executive leadership. According to him, the moves of Minister Emil Dechev are “correct”, and the reactions against some personnel changes show how sensitive the topic of vote integrity is. Back in late February, the Ministry of Interior announced that there would be a special headquarters and a plan for coordination of the ministry's structures for the elections.