President Rosen Plenvneliev regrets the choice made by the British voters whereby the United Kingdom should leave the European Union.

“This is a bad day for Europe, a bad day for European democracy, a bad day for the European Union. It is clear sign that the lessons history teaches us have not been learned. A great power, a symbol of free trade, a country, which is a symbol of liberal democracy, decided to once again isolate itself within its national borders, on its island. I deeply regret the result. I am greatly concerned that nationalists and populists are triumphing in the streets of Europe today. However, I am convinced that united Europe, with or without Great Britain, should look ahead.

As all convinced Europeans, we hoped to the very last minute, that the outcome will not be such. We should accept with respect and understanding the decision made by the British people. I am convinced that, despite the unfavorable result of the referendum, the European project is much more than any individual member state is. Now it is the time when European politicians should address the beginning, the reasons, the principles that established the EU, namely to guarantee peace in Europe.

Now it is the time when the EU should draw its conclusions, should learn the lessons from the mistakes we have made.  Currently we have to focus on what is important for our future. We should remain united, we should place an extra dose of trust in the EU, we should launch new integration projects.

I would like to draw the attention of the Bulgarian politicians to the fact that the referendums can be an extremely powerful and useful tool for democracy, but only if they are in line with clear-cut rules. Politicians should not play on people’s fears, having in mind only short-term results. If we allow aggressive populism to infect direct democracy as well, the consequences may be unpredictable. Proof of this fact is what is happening in Great Britain.”