If Kiril Petkov becomes prime minister, he will be the first to hold the post with the “Worthy Bulgarian” award
Hristo Ivanov must have wanted to eat the economic program of the DB, written by the anonymous economist, who, offended that he was not pointed out as its author, left
Time will tell who is taking advantage of whose platform – the “Harvard” ministers from Rumen Radev, or vice versa
Hristo Ivanov probably wants to eat the economic program he has today
the unknown in public in 2017 Kiril Petkov writes for the newly created political force “Yes, Bulgaria”
The city’s right-wing leader, who resigned hours ago, then severely underestimated the ego of one of the party’s 1,200 founders. On January 9, 2017, Kiril Petkov was introduced as an “economist” and became one of the 14 members of the new party’s leadership. Later, part of this guide presents somewhere along the sea the vision of the Bulgarian economy, without naming its author. Thus, Kiril Petkov, even before he started his party career, took a step back.
But his name often appears as an author in Dnevnik and publicly supports the policies and positions of the circle around Hristo Ivanov and Ivo Prokopiev. The publisher is also part of those accomplices who create “Yes, Bulgaria”.
On March 12, 2019, Boyko Borissov as Prime Minister missed the “Worthy Bulgarians” ceremony, which never happened to him for the events of “Capital”. Instead of the Prime Minister from GERB, the Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev shakes hands with Kiril Petkov, who received the grand prize in the 19th consecutive ceremony. “24 Hours” notices him a year after he missed “Yes, Bulgaria”, but in a different role. He and his friend and fellow student Asen Vassilev
pay for at the age of 13 with their funds t.nar. Harvard courses in Sofia university,
to study in them for free Bulgarians. Kiril also established a Center for Applied Research and Innovation at Sofia University, donating personal BGN 500,000.
When his name reappeared in the media two years later, it was after his appointment as caretaker Minister of Economy in the caretaker government of Rumen Radev in May 2021. Then Petkov repeated his favorite theory learned from Harvard – that development of a country depends on how you manage the top 2 percent of a nation, which certainly manage to achieve economic success and positions in society.
“How a country manages the talent of those 2% – whether he does them politicians, lobbyists, mobsters, or
executive directors of competing companies, predetermines a huge part of its economic development “, Petkov explains and thus motivates his idea for the financing of these free Harvard courses” – at least a small part of the 2 percent to be pushed in the right direction.
On Sunday, Kiril Petkov’s “We Continue the Change” received 25.65% of the vote in Bulgaria. Much more than 2 percent, and people with different qualities and quality. The 41-year-old leader has identified himself as the future prime minister.
When he announced two months earlier that he was forming a new formation and it would become the first political force in the election, the other players were ironic with restraint or openly. Yes, everyone does
felt real threat, but no suggested that the smiling “canadian” will sweep them away so soon
Mostly Hristo Ivanov. Although conspiracy theorists and old journalists drew up a cunning plan for “Yes, Bulgaria” to reproduce “artificially” through “Harvard” methods.
By the way, the scandal with Petkov’s Canadian passport served as an additional rebound for the November 14 vote, instead of tripping it, as opponents had hoped. Those who sympathized with him saw him as repressed, and those who did not know him heard about him and thought about it, and probably some of them voted. To young people here and abroad, dual citizenship in a time of globalization seemed outdated and absurd.
In just 7 months, in front of everyone’s eyes, the transformation of a successful entrepreneur into a politician happened. However, his closest circle knows that Petkov and Vassilev
work in the direction entering politics at least 4 years
In 2013, the second of this tandem, which is said to give birth to most of the ideas (and the former successfully sold them), entered the caretaker government of Rosen Plevneliev, launched by one of GERB’s presidential advisers. Didn’t Asen Vassilev see the potential of an official cabinet even then?
The time ahead will show whether the two leaders of “Continuing Change” have taken advantage of the platform of President Rumen Radev 8 years later – caretaker ministers have a short horizon of action and usually such formats are remembered in society with a good name. Or Radev takes advantage of the hidden potential of Petkov and Vassilev to reach a successful second term in a difficult health, economic and political situation. Evidence is yet to be sought as to whether this is a presidential party or a formation backed by the president.
to push away quite from the mill stone BSP
Describing the elections in Bulgaria on Sunday, foreign media called Kiril Petkov “Trudeau from the Balkans” – a comparison with the young charming Prime Minister of Canada and a reference to the passport scandal.
His speedy career in politics came as no surprise to those who knew him. It is said that as a true Aries, when he sets a goal, nothing can stop him from realizing it. And he often discourages his opponents not only with arguments, but also with a wide smile. He does not give up his causes, an example of this is the 10-year battle he is fighting with friends for the preservation of Coral Beach.
He said he had known since childhood that “fear is the worst counselor.” He learned it from his grandmother, who had a difficult life and went through political camps. She is an example to her grandson that he must bravely overcome all the difficulties that life presents to him. Petkov is very connected with his family.
As a minister, he vowed to tackle corruption and the mafia at all levels in the country. This type of talk was also the fuel for his political project, which promised to continue the change.
He set a ceiling on BDB loans after announcing that 90% of the bank’s capital (over BGN 2 billion) goes to some 20 companies, not to small and medium-sized businesses. However, this bank has not yet announced to whom and for which projects loans have been granted in order to refute the rumors that the new circle in it is Prokopiev. By the way, Petkov recently announced that he reads “Capital”, but they have met with his publisher 3-4 times. The future prime minister must be ready for this issue in the coming months, when he supports businesses and causes.
The result should be seen in his inspections for the fictitious repairs of dams, so as not to accept his emotional words about “Pazar Dere” near Lovech – “the puddle”, which swallowed BGN 2.3 million of state money, as PR before party building.
He also took over the State Consolidation Company, in which “a huge number of illegal actions” took place, and demanded its liquidation. What will be her fate when he is prime minister will also be a sign of objective decisions.
The minister’s actions made him popular, so it was no surprise when he decided to play in politics.
However, Petkov’s political inexperience sometimes creates serious problems for him, although he twice misses it.
The first was the dual citizenship scandal. No matter how much he explained that he had submitted his request to refuse a Canadian passport the moment he realized he was going to be a minister, that did not justify a violation of the constitution. The decision of the Constitutional Court cleared the issue that there is no obstacle to being an MP. Some of his supporters expected him to apologize for his ignorance, but he did not. This was a mistake. But it also did not affect the outcome of the election, despite the media shooting that followed.
The blunder with the agitation on the day of the vote also came – on leaving the section Petkov announced the number in the ballot paper with which he voted and was given to the SAC. He promised to pay the fine, but in vain
advised the new one politician to walk everywhere with legal adviser
Many see Petkov’s early bid for prime minister on election night as a blunder. But he does so – in a manner beyond the ocean, with direct requests and wide smiles. Indeed, such a request is a logical and strong move for any leader – only as prime minister can he guarantee the implementation of the set priorities with which he has won the trust of the people. And Petkov shows that he is ready to bear responsibility.
But also a double-edged sword – once you say you’re going to talk to potential partners first, you don’t have to bet mines that could blow them up in advance. Slavi promised humility and support, but his deputy Toshko Yordanov issued an ultimatum a long time ago – ITN does not participate if Petkov is in the government. It was from the ITN group that the topic of his dual citizenship started. We are yet to see how the dialogue will lead.
And if he really becomes prime minister, for the first time we will have a “worthy Bulgarian” as prime minister.
He is also among the participants in the initiative of “24 hours” for the visionary goals of Bulgaria “New 30 years”.
He and Assen Vassilev, whom he knew from Harvard, are the founders of the Center for Economic Strategies and Competitiveness, affiliated with Harvard University. They do it with the help of Prof. Michael Porter – one of the most important modern economists and teacher of Petkov.
Every year they train 60 students, Petkov and Vassilev also give lectures. So far, more than 680 young Bulgarians have received a certificate from Harvard
As an entrepreneur, Kiril develops projects in the field of high value-added innovation, and his company holds several patents in biotechnology in the United States. Among the most iconic products of the company is a probiotic of Bulgarian snowdrop color, which also helps with weight loss, for healthy skin, hair and nails. He has won an innovation award and is patented in the United States, and his clients include world-famous names such as Oprah Winfrey and Novak Djokovic.
Petkov was born in 1980 in Plovdiv, but was only 3 months old when his parents moved to Sofia. His mother is a teacher of Bulgarian language, his father – in biology. “They never told me ‘do this’ or ‘you have to,’ but just ‘we expect you to have sixes,’ ‘we expect you to be good at karate,’ so yes, I was a good student,” Petkov said. And he dreamed of being a drummer, in 4th grade he even had a band – “Fast Blue Car”, they made Beatles songs.
His father, the scientist Petko Petkov, started working on a research project in Vancouver and at the age of 14 Kiril left for Canada. He first studied biology and chemistry at the University of British Columbia, but in his third year he realized that economics was his vocation. His first job was in Brussels, where he was a currency dealer, followed by Russia. In 2007, he completed a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School (HBS). He travels the world on business, but his heart remains in Bulgaria, so at the age of 26 he returns here with his family.
He is married to the Canadian Linda, who became famous for her participation in “Masterchef”, where she won the “Golden Apron” for her gluten-free Garash cake. They have 3 daughters. The family spends their free time in nature, Kiril rides surf and kite.
In 2018, Kiril and his father participated in the search for the climber Boyan Petrov, who disappeared under Shisha Pangma in the Himalayas. Petko Petkov is a teacher and mentor of Boyan, who was a biologist researcher at the Zoological Institute. Petkovi flew by helicopter in Nepal up to 8 km without masks, but unfortunately, Boyan was not found.
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