site.btaPoliticians React to Proposed Caretaker Cabinet Line-up

Politicians shared their views on the Cabinet line-up that caretaker prime minister–designate Andrey Gurov presented to President Iliana Iotova on Wednesday. Reactions ranged from claims of “nods” to political forces to criticism labelling the proposed Cabinet as “the result of bargaining and backroom deals” or an “Iotova-Soros-Petrohan Government.” Skepticism was also expressed about whether the Cabinet would ensure fair elections.

GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Kostadin Angelov said that his political entity views the proposed caretaker Cabinet as “the personal responsibility of President Iliana Iotova.“ “If President Iotova does not approve this Cabinet - and there has been such a precedent in the past, it could be returned. Apparently, she approves each of the ministers,” Angelov noted. He added that he believes that the idea behind the proposed caretaker Cabinet is to give certain newly formed political entities an edge in the upcoming election. “We see serious signals and nods in many directions. We will see whether they are understood,“ he added. 

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) co-Floor Leader Nikolay Denkov said that he does not see prominent political figures in the line-up, but rather an attempt to pick ministers with relevant expertise and experience for their assigned roles. He noted that, beyond ensuring fair elections, the Government faces urgent challenges in sectors such as education, agriculture, and regional development. In Denkov's words, Gurov cannot afford to have inexperienced individuals enter the ministries for the short duration expected of this caretaker Cabinet.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov described the composition of the proposed caretaker Cabinet as “weak,“ “extremely unprofessional,“ and “the result of bargaining and backroom deals.” He argued that the line-up appeared to test a future governing formula involving CC-DB, figures previously nominated by Rumen Radev in his caretaker cabinets, representatives linked to GERB and MPs from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF). The Vazrazhdane leader said he was particularly surprised by the nomination of Andrey Yankulov as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, pointing to his ties to the Anti-Corruption Fund, which, in Kostadinov's words, “exerted pressure on the Ministry of Interior” to conceal information regarding the high-profile Petrohan case in which five men and a 15-year-old boy met a violent death in early February. 

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning co-Deputy Floor Leader Iskra Mihaylova-Koparova said that her party viewed the line-up as effectively a caretaker cabinet of President Iliana Iotova, George Soros, and the Petrohan case. She explained that this characterization stems from the fact that the Cabinet includes individuals directly linked to the Petrohan case, citing the latest materials released by the Interior Ministry. Mihaylova-Koparova further noted that the Cabinet appeared to be closely aligned with a particular political force, emphasizing that the full responsibility for the Cabinet’s work rested with President Iotova, as she had approved it. Mihaylova-Koparova added that from this point forward, MRF-New Beginning would use all tools of parliamentary democracy to monitor and control the work of the caretaker cabinet.

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Krum Zarkov stressed that the President is no longer to be held responsible for the caretaker Cabinet following the 2023 constitutional amendments. The basic law revisions established that the National Assembly would operate continuously to oversee the work of the caretaker government, he said. “MPs who are directing their arrows at [President] Iliana Iotova could be more useful if they simply focused on doing their job,” the BSP leader added.

There Is Such a People (TISP) Deputy Floor Leader Stanislav Balabanov also insinuated a connection between the caretaker Cabinet and the Petrohan case, criticizing the nominations, particularly Andrey Yankulov. The TISP MP added that the upcoming snap parliamentary elections will be conducted as envisioned by CC leader Assen Vassilev since Emil Dechev, a former deputy minister in Kiril Petkov’s Cabinet, is now proposed as caretaker Interior Minister. Balabanov expressed doubt that Stoil Tzitzelkov, the proposed caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for Fair Elections, will be able to organize fair elections due to his "heavy" connection with CC-DB. The MP noted that Ahmed Dogan, the honorary chair of the Alliance of Rights and Freedoms - whom Balabanov described as “the father of the backroom politics model in Bulgaria“ - has two ministers in the proposed Cabinet - Labour Minister Hasan Ademov and Transport and Communications Minister Korman Ismailov.

Former president Rumen Radev also weighed in on the line-up, saying that the proposed Cabinet includes individuals with pronounced party and political affiliations.