Minutes before the end of 2020, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev made his traditional New Year's address to the Bulgarian people. In it, he pointed out that Bulgaria and the world were looking back at a "difficult and divisive year" - with a pandemic that has led to the loss of loved ones and to a "painful adaptation to a new way of life, work, studying and communication."

"My first thoughts today go for the Bulgarians who celebrate the holiday alone and in poverty, sad and disillusioned; to the thousands of doctors, nurses and paramedics who bore the brunt of the disaster, to the officers from all services on duty on New Year's Eve," he said at the beginning of his speech. The President added that in 2020, life reminded each of us of the real cost of freedom, solidarity and humanness:

"2020 was also the year of the Bulgarian awakening. Thousands declared their will to end lies, lawlessness and corruption. This brotherhood of honorable people emerged on the squares," the head of state said, recalling of the protests against this country's government.

"The anti-mafia consensus unites millions of honest Bulgarians at home and abroad. And the failure to cope with the pandemic, the ruin of small business, the poverty and widespread lawlessness have only confirmed the urgent need for radical change," President Rumen Radev said and recalled that in 2021 Bulgarians would go to elections twice - for parliament and President. According to him, elections must be organized in such a way as to guarantee the health and the right to vote of every Bulgarian, including by providing machine and remote voting.

The head of state also pointed out that Bulgaria needed leadership that "should start dismantling the vicious governance model, strengthen statehood and the rule of law, stop theft, place education, health care, science and culture as a true priority, and citizens – as the main value.”

At the end of his address, President Rumen Radev wished a year "in which we would have the audacity, inspiration and determination to make the change that the hearts of millions of Bulgarians long for come true. Now is the time!".

Compiled by: Krassimir Martinov