These battles give meaning to our lives, said the leader of “Progressive Bulgaria”
The presence of the leader of “Progressive Bulgaria” Rumen Radev in the “Sila” hall in Plovdiv, where he opened the national campaign, lasted no more than half an hour. Immediately after delivering his speech, he left. His followers followed him.
The event was announced for 11:30 a.m., and an hour earlier “Vasil Aprilov” boulevard was already cut off from the Medical University. There were also uniformed patrols in the adjacent streets. At that time, activists, beaten in suits and hairstyles, came by car from all over the country. There were also luxury vehicles that stood out.
Radev’s former presidential advisors, Plamen Uzunov and Nikolay Koprinkov, coordinated the accommodation of the arrivals. On the first line were Galab Donev, Ivan Demerdzhiev, the general from the reserve Ivan Lalov, athletes Petar Stoychev, Vladimir Nikolov, Ivet Goranova. The former chief secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Petar Todorov, who is third in the Plovdiv list, was in the third row.
The opening began with a performance by singer Ivana Mircheva, followed by tenors Rosen Nechev, Emil Pavlov and Boris Taskov. Political scientist Slavi Vasilev from the front row tried to conduct in time with the music and signal to the audience when to applaud.
After the musical performances, the representatives of the regional lists began to appear on the stage. While some took seats in front, at that time the others got up from their chairs, stood one behind the other and almost in line went out to the tribune. “Stand so that they can see you,” girls directed them.
The hall erupted in applause at the mention of “the youngest leader Ivet Goranova”.
The young candidate Asen Babachev from 25 MIR opened by telling about himself how he had a chance to complete his education abroad, then he had a good job in a European bank, but his love for Bulgaria did not give him rest. And he returned and is now a candidate for parliament. “We are ready, we can, we will succeed,” said Babachev.
After him, the floor was given to Emine Gulestan from Kardzhali. She told a story about ravens that would get on top of the eagles and start pecking at them. But when the eagle spread its wings and reached high in the sky, the raven ran out of air and fell alone. “Don’t lose your moral compass. May he be happy,” Gulestan wished.
Vladimir Nikolov, leader of the Plovdiv list, expressed outrage at “unworthy comments about the champions who are on the lists”.
“Bulgarian athletes have not stolen their fame and money, like some political opponents. The Bulgarian champions are proof that Bulgaria can be number one,” he said.
At 12:30 it was announced that the inspiration of “Progressive Bulgaria” Rumen Radev will be welcomed. He entered the hall and walked towards the stage, stopping along the way to greet supporters.
“Today, each of us is fighting for our children, our dreams and for justice. We don’t always succeed, but these battles give meaning to our lives,” Radev began. He explained that great minds and talents felt that it was increasingly difficult for them to realize their ideas in their own homeland. Quite a few lost their properties because their money went to maintain the jeeps of the corrupt.
According to him, the political class managed to repel the Bulgarians from the ballot boxes. He recalled that a year ago they refused the Bulgarians to vote for the introduction of the euro. “The oligarchy crushed the dreams of brave entrepreneurs,” he said.
“Yes, Bulgarians travel freely around Europe, young people study abroad, our entrepreneurs trade. These are important advantages that we must preserve. But this cannot alleviate the impoverishment of people in the last month,” noted Radev.
According to him, the most important battle in his life was the battle for Bulgaria.
“Let’s get our country back, strengthen democracy, so that there are no poor people in European Bulgaria. We know what we want and how to achieve it,” he concluded.
After his final words, a performance of the song “Izlel Delho Haidutin” followed.
