President Iliana Yotova, who has chosen the deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank Andrey Gyurov as a candidate for caretaker prime minister, will task him with forming an interim government today at 10 a.m.
The opposition parties in parliament have named Andrey Gyurov as the most suitable for caretaker prime minister.
The president hands over a mandate for a caretaker government after 18 meetings in the last two weeks. Iliana Yotova first spoke with the 10 possible candidates for caretaker prime minister, from whom she can choose according to the Constitution. Five confirmed that they are ready to head an interim government: Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank Andrey Gyurov, Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova, Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts Dimitar Glavchev and his deputies Margarita Nikolova and Silvia Kadreva. After the candidates, Yotova also held consultations with the parliamentary groups.
"I will make my decision, in accordance with the constitutional texts, my powers and the interests of Bulgaria", Yotova said.
Yesterday it became clear that Yotova chose Andrey Gyurov as acting prime minister.
"I am ready to take responsibility if this is done under clear principles and without hidden conditions", Gyurov said.
Deputy and chairman of the parliamentary group of "We continue the change" Andrey Gyurov was elected Deputy Governor of the BNB in 2023. A year later, the central bank removed him from office due to a decision by the Anti-Corruption Commission on incompatibility in holding the position. Gyurov has been on unpaid leave for a year and a half and appealed the decision:
"A case is currently pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the hearing, I received very categorical support. In this sense, I have no moral problems with accepting such a position."
The opposition parties in Parliament approved Yotova's decision to nominate Gyurov.
Assen Vassilev - PP-DB said:
"The most important thing for us is to have fair elections. The appointment of Andrey Gyurov is a good step in this direction."
"We need to be the furthest from this model and we expect real actions", said Khairy Sadakov from APS.
Ivelin Mihaylov from "Velichy" commented:
"He is a counterpoint to the other caretaker prime ministers, who are an extension of this government."
The ruling majority formations criticized the choice.
Denitsa Sacheva from GERB-SDF:
"Obviously the consultations have yielded results and we have the choice that PP-DB desired."
"Mr. Gyurov is closely connected to a political force," said Iskra Mihaylova from "DPS-New Beginning".
Toshko Yordanov - ITN:
"We are facing unfair elections."
After receiving the official mandate, Andrey Gyurov will have to propose names of ministers to the president for Yotova to approve. There is no deadline for this in the Constitution, but the procedure for forming a cabinet will probably take about a week.
The interim government is appointed by presidential decree. This also determines when the elections for the 52nd National Assembly will be held.