The popular consensus against the mafia is the big political event of 2025, said President Rumen Radev in his New Year's address

Dear compatriots,

We are counting down the last minutes of the outgoing year. In the comfort of our home, among long-awaited guests and friends, or in the square filled with people, we look together towards the new 2026 with a common hope that it will be better for our loved ones and for Bulgaria.

The past year was dramatic for the world, wars took the lives of thousands of people, but the first hopes for their cessation also appeared. I believe that our country must unequivocally support the efforts for peace in Ukraine. The risk of expanding the conflict has not passed and we should not rely on someone else to defend our interests if we are not able to do it ourselves.

In a matter of minutes, Bulgaria will be world news. The decision to adopt the single European currency is a strategic choice at a controversial time. The introduction of the euro is the final milestone in Bulgaria's integration into the European Union - a place that we deserve with the achievements of our millennial culture and the civilizational contribution of our country. I am convinced that the rejection of our national currency it was supposed to be done after a public consultation, but the government refused to listen to the citizens. This refusal was one of the dramatic symptoms of the deep rift between the political class and the people, which was confirmed by the mass protests throughout the country.

They punished the arrogance of the ruling parties. The first budget in euros proved to be an impossible task for them and unleashed the accumulated dissatisfaction with the unfair model, corruption, inflation, and the arbitrariness of the authorities.

However, the protests also showed that young Bulgarians no longer have the desire to save themselves individually, but are asking themselves how to help the Motherland. Veterans of the Transition also flooded the squares and this is the big political event of 2025: a popular consensus against the mafia was born. The attempt to manipulate it with generational interpretations or by wedging other topics failed. People demanded democracy, justice, fair elections, objective media, a real European perspective and a dignified life.

Dear compatriots,

We have parliamentary elections coming up, and in the autumn, we will also elect a new president. It is up to us not to repeat old mistakes and to stop going around in circles. To regain democracy, we must not waste the energy and hope that were born in the squares, and the opportunity to change Bulgaria.

We are ready, we can and we will succeed!

Let us show today and every day in the New Year that we are a worthy people, not only through the achievements of our brilliant artists, scientists, champions, and young talents, but in our daily deeds, in the test of being human.

Allow me to wish you all health, joy and inspiration! May peace, love and prosperity reign in your homes! In times of trouble, family and friends are our hope. I wish you that they bring you comfort and support.

May the coming months bring your personal dreams and our shared dream of a peaceful, free, prosperous and just Bulgaria to fruition!

Happy New Year 2026!