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President Iotova: The Urgent Resolution of the Problems Facing Bulgaria Depends on the Shared Responsibility between the Caretaker Cabinet and the National Assembly

The head of state assigned the Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, Andrey Gyurov, to form a caretaker cabinet

The urgent and adequate solution to the problems facing Bulgaria will depend on the shared political responsibility between the acting executive branch and the National Assembly. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova when handing over a mandate to form a caretaker cabinet to the Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, Andrey Gyurov.

Expectations to you are extremely high. We, the Bulgarian citizens, want fair, transparent, well-prepared and well-conducted elections for the National Assembly. We expect you to protect our every vote, because the right to choose is one of the highest rights won in human history. We expect the elections to guarantee a stable, law-based, secure state, the head of state pointed out.

At a press conference, Iotova explained why she had nominated Andrey Gyurov as acting prime minister. The head of state thanked the ten potential caretaker prime ministers for the talks held. She presented the arguments with which the prospective candidates refused the post – conflict of interest, incompatibility between the position held and the post of caretaker prime minister, incompatibility with Bulgarian and European law. Those who accepted to be caretaker prime minister indicated as an argument ‘for’ only the fulfilment of constitutional obligations, Iotova specified.

Only Andrey Gyurov, according to the President, has announced that he will resign from the position he holds. This eliminates the suspicion of a conflict of interest. I am not subjecting the other institutions - the Bulgarian National Bank, the institution of the Ombudsman and the Court of Auditors - to suspicions of political affiliation, the head of state pointed out.

Iliana Iotova stressed that the recent amendments to the Constitution had left the presidential institution without a choice when it comes to appointing a caretaker prime minister. The goal was to curb the powers of the presidency, contrary to the established philosophy not only of the Bulgarian Basic Law, but also of European law on the separation of powers, the president said. She noted that each candidate for a potential caretaker prime minister is chosen by the political majority in the National Assembly. The constitutional amendments have led to extreme political polarisation regarding the candidates for acting prime ministers. Today, the choice is not reduced to the most suitable prime minister, but whether he is from the status quo or the opposition, Iliana Iotova emphasised.

The President indicated what she expects from Andrey Gyurov, instructing him to form a caretaker government. I consider Mr. Gyurov's words "under clear principles and without hidden conditions" as a request to hold the elections according to the expectations of Bulgarian citizens, to assume political responsibility together with the current National Assembly for resolving all urgent issues facing the state.

The head of state thanked the parliamentary groups that participated in the consultations for outlining the agenda of the caretaker cabinet. The parliamentary groups showed a common understanding of the main problems facing Bulgaria - immediate measures to control prices, stabilise the state's finances in euros with a budget not tied to the euro, regulate electricity prices, quick measures for the most vulnerable households, resolve the Petrohan case, fulfil commitments to foreign policy partners and a foreign policy in the interests of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova pointed out.

The President expects Andrey Gyurov to present a cabinet without political coercion. To take responsibility as Prime Minister, but also responsibility for the ministers he will appoint. They will not be my choice. Mr. Gyurov is responsible to the National Assembly, where he and the caretaker cabinet will take the oath, the head of state emphasised.