/ world today news/ President Rumen Radev also spoke on the case with Betina Zoteva, who is a member of the CEM from the presidential quota proposed by his predecessor Rosen Plevneliev. Zoteva allowed herself to threaten a journalist because of an “incorrect” question and continued with her arrogant tone even after the scandal broke out.
During his official visit to Athens, President Rumen Radev gave a press conference for the Bulgarian media. In response to a question about the media-published recording of Betina Zoteva’s sharp statements to the journalist Karinka Kudrinova, he stated: “There is a really logical move to protect the authority of the institution and the personal dignity of Mrs. Zoteva. From here on out it’s a matter of her personal moral choice!’
When asked about the judicial reform, the president said that he does not see enough political will to fight corruption at the highest levels of power. According to him, real judicial reform will take place when a single body to fight corruption is created.
The president explained that he is not a fan of the Romanian model, which has both positive and negative features. “We can take the best of each model and it’s high time to have just such a structural body,” said Radev.
According to him, such a team of motivated people with high salaries will “dig up” large and dubious public procurements in the country. “The activity of these bodies should discipline our political class”, commented Radev.
“The most important condition for a system is the professionalism and moral qualities of magistrates. I hope that with the direct election we are moving in this direction”, added Radev.
The President also commented on the topic of the modernization of the army.
In response to Prime Minister Borissov’s claims that the military-industrial complex will overthrow him from power, Radev pointed out that on the contrary – the creation of high-tech industries and new jobs can only stabilize the cabinet. “If the Bulgarian government plays its cards well, it will be stabilized,” the president believes.
According to him, negotiations are always difficult, as those for fighter jets take at least 5-6 months. “These are complex negotiations in which we must defend our interest,” said Radev.
The head of state also commented on the scandal with Lozan Panov and the NSO cars.
“I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on tires, rims, bolts, wrenches, etc. – there is a technical expertise, there is a prosecutor’s office. This is a smoke screen for the big issue – the judicial reform”, the president commented on the case.
In his words, he has his own ways to control the NSO to a certain extent, but “under no circumstances should the president set an example of breaking the law.”
“I am not running away from my responsibility to the NSO”, added Radev.
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