POLITICS-PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF-SECOND RANKED

Presidential Runoff: Second-Ranked Gerdjikov
Promises Supporters to Make Their Voice
Heard


Sofia, November 21 (BTA) - Anastas Gerdjikov, who lost Bulgaria's presidential runoff on Sunday to the incumbent Rumen Radev, said he ran for President because he believed that democracy and the Constitution were in danger.

He conceded defeat.

According to the exit polls, Gerdjikov took 33 per cent of the votes against 64 per cent for President Radev.

He also said the entire State machine had been mobilized for Radev's victory. "Radev's campaign was helped by the repression launched by the interior Ministry," said Gerdjikov, who criticized the strong-arm methods used by caretaker Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov. On Friday, the police probed three universities, including the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, of which Gerdjikov is a rector, for advance payments to companies renovating student dormitories.

Gerdjikov said: "We had a considerable impact on political style - we talked about unification, which is the right direction." He assured people that he would find a way to stick to this course and make their voice heard.

He assumed responsibility for his defeat, saying: "We failed to convince the Bulgarian people that our vision is good. The problem is that people do not trust anyone."

Gerdjikov congratulated the winning presidential ticket: "We all hope that they will deliver their promises in the next five years for the good of the Bulgarian people."

He said he would not pursue a career in politics and would return to his University job. RY/DD//

Source: Sofia