A year of illusory stability, increasing lawlessness and erosion of democratic acquisitions – that is how President Rumen Radev described 2018.

At a press conference to mark the second anniversary of his inauguration as president, the Bulgarian head of state described the presidential institution as the last barrier to legislation catering to lobbyist interests and irresponsible political acts.

“In 2018 I continued to actively uphold Bulgaria’s positions on issues from the European and world agenda,” Rumen Radev said, laying emphasis on his participation in 19 events abroad and the visits to this country by 12 heads of state.

The Bulgarian President announced the setting up of a Council for the Strategic Development of Bulgaria, with the participation of intellectuals and experts, for developing alternatives to the stagnancy in the economy and the stagnancy of ideas prevalent in the country.