Rumen Radev assumes office as Bulgaria's new president

By Ihvan Radoykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) – Rumen Radev became the fifth president of Bulgaria on Sunday and pledged to rebuild a society “based on law and integrity” in his inaugural address, Bulgarian state news agency of BTA said.

According to the national news agency BTA, the ceremony was held in in Sofia's Sveti Alexander Nevsky Square and was attended by hundreds of people.

Radev said he would work closely with Bulgaria’s partners, including the EU and “stand up for the rights and dignity of his people”.

“Let us build a more just society based on law and integrity. We owe it to our children and our forefathers,” he said.

Radev won the the presidential election in Bulgaria in November 2016.

He had pledged to foster better relations with Russia and remove EU sanctions that were imposed on Moscow for its role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The presidency in Bulgaria is a mostly ceremonial post.