site.btaPresident Holds Consultations with GERB-UDF, CC-DB on Caretaker PM

President Iliana Iotova has begun consultations with representatives of the parliamentary groups in the 51st National Assembly as part of the procedure for appointing a caretaker prime minister. Tuesday's consultations were with representatives of GERB-UDF and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB).

Under the 2023 constitutional amendments, following consultations with parliamentary groups and upon proposal by the caretaker prime minister-designate, the President appoints a caretaker government and schedules early elections within two months. The Constitution lists ten senior public officials as eligible for the office of caretaker prime minister: the National Assembly chair, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) governor and the three deputy governors, the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO) president and the two vice presidents, and the National Ombudsman and the Deputy Ombudsman. Of the ten Iotova met with last week, five said they were ready to serve as caretaker prime minister: BNB Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov, BNAO President Dimitar Glavchev and Vice Presidents Margarita Nikolova and Silvia Kadreva, and Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova.

During their consultations with the President on Tuesday, the GERB-UDF representatives suggested that the choice of a caretaker prime minister should be extended beyond the officials already touted, including to all 239 MPs [excluding the National Assembly Chair]. GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Denitsa Sacheva told Iotova: "You could exercise judgment as to whether there is some colleague of ours among those remaining 239 MPs who could execute these commitments and duties. For our part, we as the largest parliamentary group commit to back the election of a new National Assembly chair who could fulfil the constitutional commitment as a caretaker prime minister." In Sacheva's words, this proposal does not seek to whip up political tensions but to give the President broader options and ensure her more institutional leeway in making the decision. She stressed that the idea is to broaden the head of State's options and ensure her maximum leeway and impartiality in making the decision. The Deputy Floor Leader said that her parliamentary group will not advise the President about her choice and will refrain from assessing particular individuals. 

Iotova replied that the election of a new National Assembly chair is entirely in the hands of the MPs. "It can in no way be my wish or recommendation, still less the choice of a specific person because I am one of those people who deeply believe in the separation of powers," the President added. "I will also put this to the other parliamentary groups. I understand this is your proposal, but given the limited time we may have before the elections, I honestly do not know whether it will be feasible." "We face difficult moments in the coming months, but our goal is common - transparent and honest elections and a functioning state - both until the formation of a caretaker cabinet and during its work until succeeded by a Parliament-elected government," Iotova said. She assured the GERB-UDF representatives that she would take into account all their considerations and positions on which of the five who have agreed to be caretaker prime minister will be the most suitable, but she would make her decision primarily in line with her own understanding of the interests of the State and of the citizens.

Prior to her consultations with CC-DB later in the day, Iotova told reporters that the public's expectations of fair and transparent elections need to be covered. Commenting on the amendments to the Election Code that will reduce the number of polling stations outside diplomatic missions of non-EU Member States, Iotova said that these amendments would be minimal. She added that the current cabinet is still working, even if it is outgoing, so with the help of Parliament, it can address some of the more pressing issues. "I will fulfil my constitutional powers. I will assign a mandate to one of these [five] candidates [who have agreed to become caretaker prime minister] with the clear understanding that in a different situation, under the [previous version of the Constitution], my choice might have been different," she noted. Iotova highlighted security, predictability, and stability as the top priorities for Bulgaria in the current situation.

During their consultations with the President, the CC-DB representatives said that the main task of the future caretaker government should be to guarantee fair elections and prevent a repeat of the practices of the previous caretaker cabinet. MP Ivaylo Mirchev argued that that fair elections were not held under the previous caretaker cabinet and added that this was also confirmed by the Constitutional Court. Mirchev alleged that the cabinet served the "Peevski-Borissov corruption model," referring to MRF – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski and GERB leader Boyko Borissov. MP Bozhidar Bozhanov described GERB-UDF's proposal to elect a caretaker prime minister beyond the officials already touted as ungrounded. In his words, changing the procedure at this stage would be comical, given that there already are enough people who have expressed readiness to assume the post. Bozhanov warned that there are four potential candidates who are directly or indirectly linked to Peevski. CC-DB leader Assen Vassilev noted that March 29 is obviously no longer an option for early elections and that the most reasonable date is April 19. 

The President reiterated that she would take into account the parliamentary groups' positions on which of the five who have agreed to be caretaker prime minister will be the most suitable, but she would base her decision on the interests of the State and of the citizens.

On Wednesday, President Iotova continues consultations with the parliamentary groups on a caretaker prime minister.  She is scheduled to receive representatives of MRF - New Beginning at 10 a.m., of BSP - United Left at 11:30 a.m., and of There Is Such a People at 1 p.m. An invitation for a meeting has also been extended to the parliamentary group of Vazrazhdane, the President's press secretariat said.

On Monday, Vazrazhdane's press centre reported that the party has categorically rejected the invitation as it would not support any postponement of the elections, and called on the President to move forward with the caretaker cabinet's appointment. Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov told reporters on Tuesday: "We see backroom deals and agreements between GERB and MRF - New Beginning, on the one hand, and former president Rumen Radev, on the other, to delay the elections and create, perhaps, some additional conditions." Vazrazhdane do not consider any of the eligible candidates suitable for the role of caretaker prime minister; only Bulgarian National Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov is not affiliated with Borissov and Peevski. On GERB-UDF's proposal to elect a caretaker prime minister beyond the officials already touted, Kostadinov said that is something possible in theory but hardly in practice. "When we can make such proposals, it means that the Constitution has practically lost its full meaning," he commented. In his words, this confirms Vazrazhdane's position that Bulgaria needs a new Constitution, a new system of government, and a new social contract.