BULGARIA’S PRESIDENT RADEV PRESENTED THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT

Bulgaria’s President Roumen Radev presented the members and structure of the new caretaker government at an official ceremony in the Coat-of Arms Hall of the Presidency on 27th of January. The caretaker government will take office at a ceremony at 12.00.

President Roumen Radev presented Prof. Ognyan Gerdjikov as the caretaker Prime Minister and described him as a lawyer with unquestioned authority, a politician who he had left his previous post as Parliament Speaker to applause (Gerdzhikov was applauded when he was leaving his post after he was voted out as Speaker of Parliament in February 2005).

Radev noted that the caretaker cabinet ministers were professionals.

Radev said that in the complex geopolitical situation the country needed security, stability and to carry out the tasks important for the public and the state.

“The caretaker government has clearly defined priorities: to ensure the smooth functioning of the state until the election of the next legitimate government; conducting fair elections; the preparation of Bulgaria for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is of utmost importance to ensure the financial, social and economic stability of our country, the order and security of the Bulgarian citizens. This means smooth and efficient functioning of the public administration, “ the President said.

“The Presidency of the Council of the EU is not only a challenge but also a great chance for our country not only to demonstrate leadership, but also to declare and defend our priorities. For this task it is necessary to improve co-operation and co-ordination between institutions at all levels. Therefore, the new caretaker government has included a post of Deputy Prime Minister in charge for the preparation of Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, " Radev said.

The caretaker cabinet will include:

Ognyan Gerdzhikov – Caretaker Prime Minister;

Ilko Semerdzhiev – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for social policies and Minister of Health;

Stefan Yanev – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for internal order and security and Defense Minister;

Malina Krumova – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds;

Denitsa Zlateva – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister in charge for the preparation of the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU, 2018;

Plamen Uzunov – Caretaker Minister of Interior;

Kiril Ananiev – Caretaker Minister of Finance;

Galab Donev – Caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy;

Spas Popnikolov – Caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works;

Nikolai Denkov – Caretaker Minister of Education and Science;

Radi Naydenov – Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs;

Maria Pavlova – Caretaker Minister of Justice;

Rasko Mladenov – Caretaker Minister of Culture;

Irina Kostova – Caretaker Minister of Environment and Water;

Hristo Bozukov – Caretaker Minister of Agriculture and Food;

Hristo Alexiev – Caretaker Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications;

Theodor Sedlarski – Caretaker Minister of Economy;

Nikolai Pavlov – Caretaker Minister of Energy;

Stella Baltova – Caretaker Minister of Tourism;

Daniela Dasheva – Caretaker Minister of Youth and Sports.