Gyurov Accuses Radev of Campaigning for Yotova Through Government Channels

Presidential candidate Andrey Gyurov accused Prime Minister Rumen Radev of using the Council of Ministers’ official channels to promote Iliana Yotova and attack her political opponents, warning against the use of state institutions for election campaigning.

“Mr. Radev, you hold an absolute majority and bear full responsibility. Leave the choice to the citizens,” Gyurov said in response to messages disseminated through the government’s official channels in support of Yotova.

Gyurov called the incident a dangerous blurring of the boundaries between state authority and the election campaign. He said the problem was not the prime minister’s political position itself, but its promotion through an institution financed by all Bulgarian citizens.

“This is not the opinion of a commentator, nor is it a speech by a party leader in a public square. This is the official voice of the state, funded by the money of all taxpayers - including those who do not support the current government,” Gyurov said.

He noted that the Council of Ministers controls the state budget, the administration and the executive branch, arguing that this authority carries a particular obligation to prevent public resources from being used to benefit a single candidate.

“The Council of Ministers is not an election campaign headquarters. The state is not the property of a political party. And no Bulgarian citizen should be cast as an adversary simply because they vote differently,” the presidential candidate said.

Gyurov defended the right of every citizen to choose politically without being subjected to labels or division. He argued that people who back another candidate are not enemies but equal citizens entitled to the same treatment by the state.

“Yesterday, one in three voters chose us. These people are not some hysterical mob. They are teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, pensioners, and young families. They are Bulgaria. And I will not accept anyone dividing them into 'ours' and 'yours.'” Gyurov said, adding that he would take the same position if a prime minister used official state channels to campaign for him.

He insisted that election rules must apply equally to everyone, including those in power, or they would have no meaning.

Gyurov also opposed efforts to portray the presidential election as a division between citizens deemed “the right kind” and “the wrong kind.” He said all sides wanted peace and framed the central question as whether those in government would serve the public or use state resources to influence voters.

According to Gyurov, one of the presidency’s main roles is to act as an independent check on concentrated power and defend the rules regardless of who governs.

“I want a president who stands between those in power and the citizens. Someone who upholds the rules even when it is inconvenient for the powerful. Someone who does not resort to intimidation or division, but instead demands that the institutions do their jobs. Bulgaria needs a state that its citizens can trust,” he said.

“Mr. Radev, govern. That is your responsibility. The choice of a president belongs to the Bulgarian citizens,” Gyurov concluded.