In an address to the nation on Tuesday, Radev called on the new parliament which will start work on April 19 to take steps to prevent the recurrence of what he called “significant problems” at snap elections last month. He said Bulgaria had witnessed “targeted attempt from abroad to influence the electoral results” – indirectly referring to Turkey’s agitation in favour of DOST, a recently-formed ethnic Turkish-dominated party, which resulted in the extradition of several Turkish officials by the Bulgarian authorities prior to the vote. “The problems remain after the election. They do not end with external interference, there are targeted attempts at deep and systematic infiltration and influence over society and political life in the country,” Radev said.
He welcomed the “courage” of the justice ministry in the caretaker administration he appointed in February to formulate concrete proposals for legal changes to prevent foreign interference in Bulgarian politics.
On April 4, the justice ministry published draft changes to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, allowing only Bulgarians who have lived in the country for a minimum of three months prior to presidential and parliamentary elections to vote.
The draft law sparked outrage around the country, as it de facto limits the rights of Bulgarians living outside the country to vote.
Full Article: Bulgarian President Demands Curbs on ‘Foreign Interference’ :: Balkan Insight.