Andrey Gyurov launches presidential bid with Georgi Kandev

Former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev, who served as Interior Ministry Chief Secretary during his government, have formally entered Bulgaria’s presidential race. They announced their candidacies for president and vice-president outside the History Museum in their home town of Gotse Delchev.

“You all want to hear whether I will enter the race to become Bulgaria’s head of state, and the answer is yes, I will – and Georgi Kandev and I will do it together,” Gyurov said.

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He went on to pose a series of questions: “Do we have a state that explains its decisions and knows how much those decisions cost? Do we have a state that does not make its citizens pay for poor planning, incompetence and dependence? Do we have a state that relies on those who are capable, rather than those who are loyal to those in power?”

Gyurov said the initiative committee nominating the pair was made up of citizens rather than representatives of a political party.

“No one sent us here and we owe nothing to anyone. We are working Bulgarian citizens and we have proved ourselves in the highest positions,” he said.

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According to Gyurov, the two know Bulgaria from different perspectives: his own experience is in finance, the economy and academia, while Kandev’s is in law, security and the practical implementation of government decisions.

Kandev said he had chosen to stand alongside Gyurov because, from working with him, he knew him to be a man of integrity who loved Bulgaria.

“I know, and I can tell you, when a policy is actually being implemented. I have no hidden agenda. I was brought up to respect and uphold the law,” Kandev said.

The pair have set out four main priorities for their campaign: Bulgaria’s European path, economic competence, independence, and security and public order.

Among the first to address the event was internationally renowned scientist and philanthropist Prof. Minko Balkanski, who voiced his support for Gyurov and Kandev in a video message.

The presidential elections in Bulgaria will be held on October 25.

Editor: Diana Tsankova