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Central Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov Mandated to Lead Caretaker Government ahead of Bulgaria's April Snap Elections

Central Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov Mandated to Lead Caretaker Government ahead of Bulgaria's April Snap Elections
Central Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov Mandated to Lead Caretaker Government ahead of Bulgaria's April Snap Elections
President Iliana Iotova (right) and caretaker Prime Minister-designate Andrey Gurov at the President's administration, Sofia, February 12, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)
Sofia,  
12.02.2026 14:51
 (BTA)

Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov Thursday accepted a mandate to form a caretaker government after being tasked by President Iliana Iotova, pledging to act with reason and responsibility amid deep political distrust in the country. He said he is beginning consultations on the composition of the Cabinet.

President Iotova said she picked Andrey Gurov because he was the only one resigning his office as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. "The doubts about a conflict of interest are eliminated. I don't entertain any doubts about a political commitment of the rest of the institutions: the BNB, the National Ombudsman and the Bulgarian National Audit Office," the head of State added. 

As she handed him the mandate, she said that expectations for him are very high. “We, the citizens of Bulgaria, want elections for the National Assembly that are honest, transparent, well prepared, and properly conducted," the President said. "We expect the elections to be held in accordance with the rules, the Constitution, and the laws of Bulgaria, in order to guarantee a stable state with a rule of law, a secure and predictable country."

Gurov acknowledged the weight of public expectations and outlined the key task ahead. "I understand how much expectations are focused on us, and I understand the task - to ensure fair elections, to help people see meaning in participating and to vote, and to work without creating hysteria," he said.

He stressed that restoring confidence in public institutions begins with the people who represent them. "For there to be trust in government, people must first trust the individuals who represent it," he noted. He pledged to assemble a team based on professionalism rather than party affiliation. "In the coming days I will do my best to find the right people and form a team in which everyone will feel represented," he said, adding that cabinet members would be selected for their "experience, expertise, and integrity," not their political positions.

Gurov told reporters that he is beginning consultations on the composition of a caretaker government. "What we agreed on with the Presidency is that there should be no straw figures, no carved-up territories in this cabinet," he said.

Asked whether Boyko Rashkov could be nominated as interior minister, Gurov replied that "all options are on the table".

He also said that "we have a person who has usurped the office of the chief prosecutor, and the justice minister must take action".

Taking questions from the press, President Iotova said she did not expect to refuse to appoint a caretaker cabinet. "I am deeply convinced and I believe we will not get to that point," Iotova said at a press conference at the President’s administration in response to a question whether she would refuse to issue a decree appointing a caretaker cabinet if the draft lineup included someone she did not approve of.

"We won’t put the cart before the horse. Let’s see what cabinet composition Mr. Gurov proposes, and then we’ll decide," Iotova said in response to a question about possible members of the caretaker government.

Background

At the end of January, Iotova held meetings with all potential caretaker prime ministers included in the menu of options prescribed by the Constitution. Five of them agreed to assume the position, including Gurov, Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova, Chair of the National Audit Office Dimitar Glavchev, and Deputy Chairs of the National Audit Office Margarita Nikolova and Silvia Kadreva.

Under the Constitution, after consultations with the parliamentary groups and upon a proposal by the candidate for caretaker prime minister, the President appoints a caretaker government and schedules elections within two months.

Iotova said Gurov will be her choice of a caretaker PM on February 11.

Under the Bulgarian National Bank Act, if the Governor or a Deputy Governor has expressly agreed to be appointed caretaker prime minister, they must submit their resignation.

In the first week of February, Iotova said that she and her team would do everything possible for elections to be held on the first date after the Easter holidays. The first Sunday after Orthodox Easter is April 19.

/NF/

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By 10:25 on 06.06.2026 Today`s news

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