October 1 (BTA) - Speaking to journalists during a visit
to a children's hospital here on Friday, Bulgarian President
Rumen Radev commented on Thursday's news that Sofia University
Rector Anastas Gerdjikov had agreed to run in the November 14
presidential elections as an independent candidate.

"Five years ago Borissov hid under Mrs Tsacheva's skirt, and now
 he is hiding under the Rector's academic robe," Radev said.

He was referring to GERB's presidential candidate Tsetska
Tsacheva, whom he defeated at the previous elections in 2016,
and to GERB leader Boyko Borissov, whom he has repeatedly
challenged to enter the 2021 presidential race.

On the record, the formerly ruling GERB Party have so far
neither confirmed nor denied rumours that they will back
Gerdjikov's nomination. Radev himself will seek a second bid,
also relying on a nomination committee. The Bulgarian Socialist
Party, There Is Such a People, Rise Up, BG! Here We Come! and
ABV have pledged support for the incumbent head of State.

Approached by reporters on Thursday, Gerdjikov said that he had
been talking for months with his friends in the right and
right-of-centre political spectrum. "Last week I round that GERB
 were ready to back this nomination. I will talk with all
parties, manly the right and right-of-centre ones. I will accept
 support from all Bulgarian parties and all Bulgarian citizens,
I believe that everybody can help this unity," he added. RY/LG

//