NEWS

The President: I am Obliged to Support any Reasonable Demand Put Forward by the People

In its relations with the executive branch of power, the Presidential institution not only points out the mistakes, but also works with the government to strengthen the positive developments. This is how President Rosen Plevneliev commented his relationships with the government, in reply to a journalist’s question. At the press conference held on the occasion of the end of the second year since he took office, the Head of State emphasized that the President and the government have achieved a lot in the past six months.

In Rosen Plevneliev’s words, continuity and consistency in Bulgarian foreign policy have been ensured. As an example, the President highlighted the firm Bulgarian position regarding the Republic of Macedonia and recalled that signing an Agreement on good-neighborly relations remains a condition for fixing a date for beginning the negotiations on the country’s EU accession. Consensus has been reached and joint actions have been taken on the priority for diversification of the energy sources. The President and the Prime Minister voiced a common position on the crisis in Syria, the Head of State recalled.

However, diverging opinions are still expressed on the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, energy efficiency as a major priority in the Energy sector, as well as on the introduction of e-government.

“E-government is the most reasonable tool to restore the public trust and to ensure efficient, transparent and predictable institutions,” Rosen Plevneliev emphasized. He recalled that 60 percent of the Bulgarians participated in the census online and one of the basic demands of the protesting citizens was the introduction of e-government. “25 years ago the Bulgarians demanded publicity, currently they demand transparency. The only solution to this issue is introducing e-government,” the President was adamant.

Rosen Plevneliev said that his approach to the government is “completely  pragmatic.” “I communicate well with the Prime Minister and some of the ministers, particularly with those who are competent in the Head of State’s powers,” the President said.

“We work together in the spheres in which we share a common position. In the spheres in which I think there is a reasonable national priority I point it out and hope that a change will take place,” Rosen Plevneliev added. “I am obliged to support any reasonable demand put forward by the people and to put it on the agenda of the institutions,” the Head of State further told journalists in the Coat of Arms Hall, 2 Dondukov street.