The key priorities for the new caretaker government

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23:51, 02.08.2022

What are the important priorities for the 100th Bulgarian government? Today. August 2, the caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev listed the important tasks of the caretaker cabinet until the elections for the 48th National Assembly, which will be held on October 2.

He promised to seek a solution to the natural gas and fuel prices and the rising inflation affecting people's incomes. The caretaker Prime Minister said it was important to address the problem of stalled road repairs and maintenance. He set as his task the holding of fair elections, as well as restoring good tone and productive dialogue.

Outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov described the legacy he leaves in a positive tone. He noted that the country has good economic indicators, a surplus in the state budget of one and a half billion and over 8 billion in the state treasury. Kiril Petkov's mandate lasted seven and a half months, and his political career started in one of Rumen Radev's caretaker cabinets.

Kiril Petkov's regular cabinet was the first in Bulgarian history to be ousted by a vote of no confidence. This happened with the support of "There is Such a People"party which had earlier left the coalition government. After that, the three attempts to form a new government within the 47th National Assembly were unsuccessful.

A traditional ceremony of handing over and accepting power in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers - clear priorities for the new government, stated by the caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev and a brief account of the achievements of the outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov with a wish that the new government will continue the fight against corruption.

Gas and fuel prices, inflation and stalled road repairs - among the priorities of the new cabinet.

In a video address earlier, outgoing Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, said the government he led had fulfilled its promises and had not trampled on its principles for the cause of Bulgaria.

At the ceremony at the Council of Ministers, Kiril Petkov wished the caretaker cabinet "courage, bravery and success" and noted:

"Contrary to the suggestions in the public space, there are no conditions for an apocalypse in Bulgaria. There are no landmines, pitfalls, underwater stones to divert your attention from the preparation of fair early elections."

Petkov pointed out that despite the global crisis, the cabinet has built a very stable foundation and the Bulgarian citizens can have calm and predictability in the months to come.

"We have made sure that households will have winter heating allowances, we have made sure that people will not feel the rise in electricity prices, and we have put a cap on electricity prices for businesses. We have extended the discount per litre measure at the petrol pumps. After 7 years of stagnation, real gas diversification is now a fact, and salaries of medical professionals and teachers are higher," Petkov noted.

He stressed that although the Bulgarian recovery plan was the 24th in a row, in terms of acceptance we are already the Member State with the fastest signed agreements in the whole EU and this week the caretaker government can send an invoice worth 2.6 billion BGN.

Petkov appealed to the new ministers not to forget that the government he led was brought down so quickly because it had hit schemes for billions in road construction, border control and in rail transport and urged the caretaker cabinet to continue this fight.

Galab Donev wished his ministers strength of character, courage and wisdom to work for the interests of Bulgaria and advised them to keep some distance from the government so as not to lose touch with the people.

"When you are looking for a solution to an existing problem, think of each person who has to deal with it. The state, which is usually spoken of as something outside us, is actually us!" said Galab Donev - caretaker Prime Minister.

He also outlined the important tasks for the cabinet:

"We have to set as a top priority the price of natural gas and fuel, high inflation, blocked road repairs and maintenance in the country, the protest of road construction companies and many others. There are months of heated political passions ahead. We have the task of restoring good tone and productive dialogue. There is still hope for that," Donev said.

He added that he expects his government to work 100% and to make smart and effective decisions with every Bulgarian citizen in mind and in line with the laws, which aim to improve people's lives and are not just another political message.

And so the 99th government of Bulgaria is already in the history and the 100th one starts its work with the first meeting probably this Thursday.

For the finale, the red carpet at the main entrance of the Council of Ministers on the Boulevard. "Dondukov" 1 was carefully put away, and when it will be rolled out for a new regular government – it will be known - after the elections on October 2.

Images by Dessislava Kulelieva