Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev said on March 10 he was “not hiding” from the public as speculation grows over the limited information about his newly launched political coalition ahead of next month’s snap parliamentary elections.

“I have not hidden. I will participate in the lists. I will be in parliament, not on the couch,” Radev told journalists on March 10 after a meeting with representatives of his coalition, Progressive Bulgaria, Dnevnik reported.

Radev’s remarks follow increasing attention from Bulgarian media to what some have described as a strategy of “radio silence” around the coalition’s policies, leadership structure and candidate lists as the country prepares for elections on April 19.

The briefing marked only his third public appearance since stepping down from the presidency on January 23, a year before the end of his second term. His earlier appearances included a television interview on the Panorama programme and remarks during Bulgaria’s national day celebrations on March 3 in Stara Zagora.

Radev has declined to comment on which parties or individuals would formally join Progressive Bulgaria, saying only that the coalition would include people “who put Bulgaria first, have the courage and energy to dismantle the oligarchic model, experts and citizens with an active civic position.” He said the candidate lists would be presented “on time” before the vote.

Bulgarian media have noted that little information has emerged about the programme or personnel of the new political formation since Radev announced its creation earlier this month. The news website Mediapool wrote on March 6 that even some figures involved in the wider circle around the project were being deliberately kept uninformed to prevent leaks.

Despite the secrecy, recent opinion polls suggest strong early support for a Radev-linked movement as Bulgaria heads toward its eighth parliamentary election in five years.

A survey by the polling agency Alpha Research showed support for Progressive Bulgaria at 32.6% among those intending to vote. Two earlier polls also indicated similar levels of backing: a poll by Trend Research Centre published by the newspaper 24 Chasa on February 23 put such a formation at 32.7%, while a February 16 survey by Market Links showed it leading with 25.6%.

Radev announced on March 2 that he would head Progressive Bulgaria in the snap election, a move widely expected after he resigned from the presidency and fuelled speculation that he planned to enter party politics.