Former prime ministers and presidents endorse Andrej Gurov and warn of Russian danger

Several senior Bulgarian political figures have publicly endorsed presidential candidate Andrej Gurov and urged voters to support him and Kandev in the runoff, while warning of growing risks they attribute to Russia.

Former leaders call for unity on national security

The joint declaration, signed by multiple former ministers and prime ministers, says national security must rise above partisan divisions and calls for a clear assessment of threats, protection of national interests and a more active role for Bulgaria in collective defence within the EU and NATO.

Among the signatories are three former prime ministers — Boyko Borisov, Ivan Kostov and Nikolay Denkov — as well as former president Rosen Plevneliev and Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev. The declaration urges Bulgarians to back Andrej Gurov and Kandev in the second round.

Signatories accuse the current government of underestimating the danger and of failing to prepare the country adequately. They say a reluctance to name a Russian threat and insufficient use of Bulgarian and allied defence capacities increase Bulgaria's vulnerability.

They also criticise arguments that Romania's actions to destroy Russian unmanned aerial vehicles could be construed as a provocation toward Moscow. The declaration warns that Vladimir Putin's demand to roll NATO back to its pre-1997 borders would effectively return Bulgaria and much of Eastern Europe to Russia's sphere of influence.

"We must not wait for another sunken ship, attacked infrastructure, attack or human casualties to recognize the scale of the risk," the declaration reads. Its authors appeal to Bulgarians who support the country's European path and NATO membership, saying the nation needs a political counterweight and institutional corrective to the policies of Rumen Radev.

The second round of the presidential election in Bulgaria will be held on Sunday.

Photo: press material from the event