site.btaPresident Radev to Hold Cabinet-Forming Consultations with Continue the Change

President Rumen Radev will invite Continue the Change to consultations on October 31, Radev told reporters in Taraclia. "When I hand the first mandate will depend on the course of the consultations," the head of State said.

The President emphasized the importance of resuming the consultations as well as trying to reach compromise and constructive dialogue between the parties for the sake of Bulgaria's future. "The cycle of repeating elections in not the optimal solution," he said.

Asked to comment on the accusations by Continue the Change of having influenced the election of committee chairpersons, Radev responded that he expected the Bulgarian parliament "to produce legislation, not cheap intrigue".

Radev visited Taraclia State University in Moldova on the eve of the Day of Bessarabian Bulgarians - October 29. "Let us pay tribute to them for defending their identity, spirit, traditions, and language for centuries," he said.

According to Radev, keeping the Taraclia District an independent administrative territorial unit is an essential part of allowing the local Bulgarian community to exercise its rights. He discussed the matter with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and with the Moldovan Parliament. "I can assure you that we have the full understanding that our requests will be taken into account during the upcoming administrative territorial reform," said Radev.

The President stated that Bulgaria and Moldova should commit to having a clear recovery plan for Taraclia University, both regarding its funding and its independent legal status.

Earlier Friday, Radev attended the opening of a new venue of the BTA press club in Taraclia.

According to official data, the local Bulgarian community numbers more than 50,000 people making it the sixth largest ethnic group.