Bulgaria's President Swears in, Scolds Govt
Author: Milena Hristova
Politics | January 19, 2007, Friday
Bulgaria's socialist-backed Georgi Parvanov and Vice-President Anguel Marin swore in as the country's President on Friday. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Socialist-backed Georgi Parvanov swore in as Bulgaria's president on Friday.
President Parvanov and Vice-President Anguel Marin took the oath at a ceremony at the Parliament and stepped in their second presidential mandate.
According to Article 96 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, the President and the Vice President take the oath of office, referred to in Article 76 (2) of the Constitution.
"I do swear in the name of the Republic of Bulgaria that I will observe the Constitution and the laws of the land and that I will be guided in all my actions by the interest of the people. I have sworn to it."
The president vowed to serve as a guarantee of the national interests of Bulgaria now that the country has joined the European Union and is member of NATO.
"The presidential institution can and should be one of the chief institutions that safeguard the country's national interests," Parvanov said.
"It is true that we must honour the commitments we have made, but we also should redefine the way we see our national goals and priorities. Now is the time to realise that these goals have changed and must be pursued in a new manner in the context of the EU," added Parvanov.
Parvanov lashed the council, set up by the leaders of the ruling three-party coalition, for taking decisions of major importance for the country.
"I don't think it is correct to take decisions on key issues in the narrow format of the Council of the coalition. That could be one of the factors that fuel the lack of confidence among people."
The president pledged to persevere in his efforts for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses in Libya.
" We will not stop. We are encouraged by the powerful civil initiative and the unprecedented international support," he said.
At the end of a pre-determined election marathon that started October 22, 2006, Parvanov overpowered the leader of the ultra-nationalist party Ataka Volen Siderov.
Parvanov swept the October 29 run-off and thus became Bulgaria's first-ever re-elected president. He secured his post with a smashing advance on his opponent, garnering 75. 736% of the votes, while nationalist Volen Siderov convinced some 24. 264% of the voters to join him.
The President and Vice President will assume office on January 22.
President Parvanov and Vice-President Anguel Marin took the oath at a ceremony at the Parliament and stepped in their second presidential mandate.
According to Article 96 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, the President and the Vice President take the oath of office, referred to in Article 76 (2) of the Constitution.
"I do swear in the name of the Republic of Bulgaria that I will observe the Constitution and the laws of the land and that I will be guided in all my actions by the interest of the people. I have sworn to it."
The president vowed to serve as a guarantee of the national interests of Bulgaria now that the country has joined the European Union and is member of NATO.
"The presidential institution can and should be one of the chief institutions that safeguard the country's national interests," Parvanov said.
"It is true that we must honour the commitments we have made, but we also should redefine the way we see our national goals and priorities. Now is the time to realise that these goals have changed and must be pursued in a new manner in the context of the EU," added Parvanov.
Parvanov lashed the council, set up by the leaders of the ruling three-party coalition, for taking decisions of major importance for the country.
"I don't think it is correct to take decisions on key issues in the narrow format of the Council of the coalition. That could be one of the factors that fuel the lack of confidence among people."
The president pledged to persevere in his efforts for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses in Libya.
" We will not stop. We are encouraged by the powerful civil initiative and the unprecedented international support," he said.
At the end of a pre-determined election marathon that started October 22, 2006, Parvanov overpowered the leader of the ultra-nationalist party Ataka Volen Siderov.
Parvanov swept the October 29 run-off and thus became Bulgaria's first-ever re-elected president. He secured his post with a smashing advance on his opponent, garnering 75. 736% of the votes, while nationalist Volen Siderov convinced some 24. 264% of the voters to join him.
The President and Vice President will assume office on January 22.
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