“I do not think that what we did has been futile. We have had a considerable influence in changing the political style, more specifically we showed that the right direction for the country is unity, not dividing lines,” stated Anastas Gerdzhikov in his first briefing after the initial results of the presidential runoff were announced. He congratulated the election winner – Rumen Radev. 

• Gallup: Rumen Radev wins presidential election in Bulgaria by a wide margin

Anastas Gerdzhikov pointed out that he and the candidate for Vice-President Nevyana Miteva had run in the election because they believed they could be useful to the country at a time of crisis, a time when democracy is in danger. He expressed regret that there was no genuine presidential debate, but that the entire state apparatus had worked for the sitting president, including the interior ministry.

“At a briefing Minister of the Interior Boyko Rashkov even said that the voting in Turkey would be so massive that it would nullify the vote here, in Bulgaria. Of course, that did not happen. We saw today that the polling stations in Turkey are empty,” Anastas Gerdzhikov said.