Congratulations President-Elect Rosen Plevneliev

Floor Speech

* Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to congratulate President-Elect Rosen Plevneliev who was declared the winner of Bulgaria's presidential election on Monday in an outcome that now gives his party control over all major government posts and will bolster its push for painful economic reforms, according to The Washington Examiner.

* President-Elect Plevneliev won Sunday's contest with 52.56 percent of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission in its final tally. It said the turnout was 48 percent.

* Most of the power in the Balkan country of 7.4 million people rests with Prime Minister Boiko Borisov and Parliament, but the president leads the armed forces and can veto legislation and sign international treaties. He also names ambassadors and the heads of the intelligence and security services.

* The governing GERB party now controls Bulgaria's top two executive positions and Parliament.

* President-Elect Plevneliev, 47, is a former entrepreneur who has been lauded for pushing through several large-scale infrastructure projects as regional development minister. He has been a member of the board of directors of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). He has pledged to reduce the budget deficit and pursue business-friendly policies. He also said he would do his best to unite Bulgarians in pursuit of reforms in the judicial and health care systems, while diversifying energy supplies and improving trade.

* President-Elect Plevneliev will take office on January 23. He will replace President Georgi Parvanov, who was barred by law from seeking re-election because he had served two five-year terms.

* The center-right GERB party also scored victories in the run-off elections for local mayors in most of Bulgaria's big cities, including in the capital, Sofia.

* Congratulations President-Elect Plevneliev and best wishes for success in serving the people of Bulgaria which is a valued partner of America.

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