Bulgaria: The new Bulgarian government is sworn in

Bulgaria’s new government was sworn in after a vote in parliament today. At a special plenary session, the legislature approved the appointment of Kirill Petkov, who was nominated for prime minister by the parliamentary group Continue to Change, as well as the composition and members of the new government. A total of 238 deputies from the 240-member Parliament voted on the three items on the agenda. Specifically, 134 deputies voted in favor, 104 against and there was no abstention.

The new government has five vice-presidents, including two from the Continuing Change Party (CC) and one for the other three coalition partners: the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), There is such a People (YTL / TISP), and Democratic Bulgaria (DB). .

The composition of the new government follows:

Prime Minister: Kirill Petkov (CC)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance: Assen Vassilev (CC)

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Government Efficiency: Kalina Konstantinova (CC)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Industry: Cornelia Ninova (BSP)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development and Public Works: Grozdan Karadzov (TISP)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment and Water: Borislav Sandov (DB)

Minister of the Interior: Boyko Raskov (CC)

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Teodora Gencowska (TISP)

Minister of Defense: Stefan Janev (CC)

Minister for Labor and Social Policy: Georgy Gyokov (BSP)

Minister for Justice: Nadezhda Yordanova (DB)

Minister for Education and Science: Nikolai Dedov (CC)

Minister of Health: Asena Serbezova (CC)

Minister of Culture: Atanas Atanasov (CC)

Minister of Agriculture: Ivan Ivanov (BSP)

Minister for Transport and Telecommunications: Nikolai Sabev (CC)

Minister for Innovation and Development: Daniel Lorer (CC)

Minister of Digital Governance: Bozidar Bozanov (DB)

Minister of Energy: Alexander Nikolov (TISP)

Minister of Tourism: Christo Prodanov (BSP)

Minister of Sports: Radostin Vassilev (TISP)

The meeting was attended by President Rumen Radev, members of the caretaker government, Attorney General Ivan Gesef, representatives of religious communities in Bulgaria, diplomats and trade union representatives.

On Saturday, the head of state gave the exploratory mandate to form a government in the party We continue the Change (CC) party, the largest political force in the new Bulgarian parliament. The CC received the mandate one day after the signing of the governing coalition agreement with the TISP, BSP and DB. Late Saturday, Petkov unveiled the proposed structure of the new government.

Radev was due to receive members of his caretaker cabinet later today. The ceremony of handing over the executive power to the newly elected government was also to take place today in the cabinet building.

Comments and statements

Addressing the National Assembly, Kirill Petkov said: “Today is an important day for the continuation of change, the way of thinking and governing. He recalled the low vaccination rate in Bulgaria, adding that his government will address this issue and stressed that if elected Prime Minister, will require everyone on the cabinet to have a green certificate.

Petkov said the first concern for all is to realize that they must work together if they want a better future for Bulgaria, including the opposition if it is a matter of changes in the judiciary. He also said that zero tolerance for corruption would be the slogan of his government. Addressing his future ministers, Petkov said, “I will be first among equals.”

Entering Parliament, President Radev said the new cabinet is expected with hope and will be evaluated on the basis of his work.

Caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Janev said before the start of the meeting that he was leaving the state in a position to allow real reforms.

The debate in the plenary chamber began with GERB leader Desislava Atanasova reading a statement in which she strongly criticized the two caretaker cabinets appointed by President Radev for failing in their three main tasks – tackling the COVID crisis. , the conduct of elections and the drafting of the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability. He also criticized the president for not understanding the substance and role of the caretaker government. The two cabinets he appointed created “unprecedented chaos,” he said.

BSP leader Cornelia Ninova said the Socialists see their participation in the cabinet as a guarantee of social justice in Bulgaria and concern for the people. He said Bulgaria’s children and young families would finally be protected, and thanked the other coalition partners for providing free daycare centers. Nineveh said children under the age of 14 would be entitled to free medicines, while new parents who stayed home to care for their children during the pandemic would be compensated with a salary. There will be a reasonable and guaranteed increase in the minimum wage. “Finally, after all these battles, we are pleased to say that no retiree will live below the poverty line.” Nineveh also noted that 1% of GDP will be spent on culture and 5% on education.

TISP co-chair Victoria Vassileva said her party would support the proposed cabinet and be consistent and loyal coalition partners. Their support will be based on clear principles and honesty, he stressed.

The leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Mustafa Karadagi told Parliament that his party also wants change and reform.

The MRF will support decisions that benefit the well-being of Bulgarian citizens and end corruption. However, he will not support the proposed cabinet because the MRF did not take part in the negotiations. The MRF will be a constructive opposition, Karadagi added.

Member of Parliament Christo Petrov (CC), who is a famous rapper, told Parliament in a moving speech that after being invited by Petkov to participate in the political project, he received a message from powerful people that if he did, he would risk losing everything. what is his favorite. He said he knew that many of those present in Parliament were there precisely because they received the same message. Petkov said that he has made his own choice and that is to belong to the CC.

Vazrazhdane (Renaissance) leader Konstantin Konstantinov criticized the policies in the coalition agreement, which is why his party can not support the future cabinet. Konstantinov opposed the requirement of a green certificate for the cabinet, which was announced earlier by Petkov. He also criticized the fact that there is no ministry for Bulgarians abroad.

DB’s Christo Ivanov said the proposed cabinet is the best opportunity for Bulgaria to have an effective government elected by parliament, something that has not happened in months. Given its composition, the proposed cabinet will not be able to concentrate power in its hands, which is an opportunity for Bulgaria. The new government will be centrist, he said. The DB would like to contribute to climate change policies and having a Deputy Prime Minister in charge of this issue is good news. Another policy that DB could contribute to is the introduction of digital governance, which would help the Bulgarian administration reach the 21st century. Judicial reform is another area in which his party can contribute, because it is time for that. It is not just the rule of law, he said, addressing Attorney General Ivan Gesef, urging him to resign.

Source: AMPE