site.btaCaretaker Ministers Assume Posts

Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and his cabinet took the oath of office before the National Assembly on Thursday, with President Iliana Iotova in attendance. After the swearing-in of the members of the caretaker cabinet, a handover ceremony took place in the Council of Ministers’ Granite Hall, the government information service said.

Gurov told the National Assembly that he and his cabinet would prepare fair elections and run the country until a regular government is formed. He added that the caretaker team was not promising “miracles” in two months and would govern calmly and realistically.

Rumiana Bachvarova has been appointed Chef de Cabinet to caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, the government’s press service told BTA. From 2009 to 2013, she served as Chef de Cabinet to then Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. In 2014, she was elected a member of parliament in the 43rd National Assembly. She subsequently served as Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration Reform (2014–2017) and as Minister of Interior (2015–2017).

Between 2019 and 2023, Rumyana Bachvarova was Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Israel.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said: “History does not necessarily remember those who held grand titles and offices, but it always remembers those who made decisions when they had to be made.” Zhelyazkov addressed the former ministers and thanked them for taking “those decisions when they had to be taken, rather than the easy ones”.

Rosen Zhelyazkov dismissed all deputy ministers in his government before the caretaker government of his successor assumed office.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, each of the new ministers took their posts at their relevant ministry with a smaller handover ceremony. 

Ministry of Finance

Caretaker Minister of Finance Georgi Klisurski said the caretaker government’s three priorities for his mini, during a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Finance in Sofia on Thursday. He said the Council of Ministers would adopt the election budget plan next week for the April 19 vote, and the ministry would ensure the funding for the elections.

Former finance minister Temenuzhka Petkova said the caretaker government was inheriting stable and sustainable public finances from the regular cabinet.

Ministry of Interior

Minutes after taking over as Minister of Interior from Daniel Mitov, Emil Dechev told journalists: “We, as the leadership of the Interior Ministry, will do everything to enable its staff to fulfil their share of the responsibility for conducting fair elections.” The interior minister vowed to do his best to ensure that the early parliamentary elections on April 19 are fair.

Ministry of Justice

"I have always believed that nothing ever starts with us and nothing ends with us. I will try to build on the useful work you have done," caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov said as he took over from Georgi Georgiev at the Justice Ministry.

Former justice minister Georgi Georgiev told journalists that he was leaving with his head held high and with more than 50 draft laws and regulations prepared, as well as progress on reforms related to the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bulgaria must be consistent and visible in its foreign policy, Nadezhda Neynsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new caretaker government, told journalists. “A challenge in today’s time of exceptional geopolitical change is for Bulgaria to have a consistent, active policy that makes it not only visible to its allies but also predictable,” Neynsky said. She noted that the voice of this country must be heard.

Neynsky assumed office in the absence of outgoing foreign minister Georg Georgiev. She said Georgiev had informed her that he was abroad and they would meet when he returned.

By order of caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, Marin Raykov and Radi Naydenov have been appointed Deputy Foreign Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Ministry of Culture

Nayden Todorov, who took over from Marian Bachev, said that every time he assumed the position of culture minister is more difficult than the last. Todorov was caretaker culture minister in the governments of Galab Donev (2023) and Dimitar Glavchev (2024-2025). "We live in a very divided society and as the Ministry of Culture, we should work not only for those who are in the field, but the entire society, since the way people react to disagreements is part of our culture," said Todorov.

During the handover ceremony of the cabinet on Thursday former minister of culture Marian Bachev stated that he is handing over his post after 400 days in office, saying he does so “with my head held high and a sense of completed duty”.

Ministry of Economy and Industry

Newly appointed caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova took over from Peter Dilov. Outlining her priorities, Shtonova said she would take decisive steps to curb rising prices and stressed that the issue would be addressed in coordination with other ministries.

Ministry of Health

The caretaker Minister of Health, Michail Okoliyski, highlighted prevention and better communication of health risks as his priorities. "I will focus my efforts on prevention, early diagnosis and better communication of health risks," Okoliyski said as he took over from Silvi Kirilov, the Health Ministry said.

Handing over his post, Health Minister Silvi Kirilov said: "Over this past year, my team and I worked with the confidence that everything we achieved together was for the sake of Bulgarian citizens." He expressed satisfaction with the implemented projects but admitted that a great deal of work remains to be done.

Ministry of Education and Science

“The most important thing is to preserve calm and predictability in the education system,” said caretaker Minister of Education and Science Sergei Ignatov as he formally took over from his predecessor Krasimir Valchev. Ignatov said he would work to ensure a smooth transition in the coming months in order to guarantee stability in schools, universities and research institutions. He stressed that the education system must be shielded from the forthcoming election campaign and from attempts to politicize it.

Former education and science minister Krasimir Valchev thanked the experts at the Ministry for their intensive work and dedication over the past year. He said the team had sought to cope with all day-to-day tasks while at the same time working on strategic priorities essential for the development of the education system.

Ministry of Agriculture

Ivan Hristanov took over as Agriculture Minister, stating clearly his priorities: to provide adequate support for the sector, ensure proper conditions for fair elections, combat corruption and theft, close all channels for the misuse of public resources, and build sustainable policies that guarantee security and predictability for Bulgarian farmers and society, the Ministry reported.

Ministry of Labour and Social Policy

Hasan Ademov took over as caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy from Borislav Gutsanov. Assuming the post, Ademov said that the caretaker cabinet's first priority is to ensure fair and transparent early parliamentary elections. "I will be absolutely uncompromising towards any attempts to use social policy instruments to influence the citizens' choice," he said

Borislav Gutsanov expressed confidence that the Ministry will continue to develop in the most beneficial way for the people. He described it as good news that the Labour and Social Policy Ministry will be headed by someone who knows the system inside and out. The most vulnerable people in the country should not suffer from the changes, Gutsanov added.

Ministry of Sport

Active support for Bulgarian athletes and creating better opportunities for young people in Bulgaria - these are the main priorities that Dimitar Iliev highlighted when taking over at the Ministry of Youth and Sports from Ivan Peshev. "Among my main goals are providing strong and sustainable support for Bulgarian athletes, who bring us the greatest joy with their successes, as well as creating conditions that allow young people to develop, realize their potential and contribute to the future of the country," said Iliev.

Bulgarian sports are celebrating a successful year with investments in infrastructure and consistent support for competitors, said former sports minister Ivan Peshev.   

Ministry of Electronic Governance

The caretaker Minister of Electronic Governance, George Sharkov, took over over the post from Valentin Mundrov. The two agreed on the need for continuity and sustainability in the ministry's policies, so as to ensure the implementation of priority tasks in the areas of electronic governance, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Sharkov identified as a key priority the organization of fair, transparent and public elections, with guaranteed security and public trust in machine voting. The Ministry of Electronic Governance continues its active work in two key areas: the certification of voting machines and the upgrading of the video surveillance system in voting sections, he said.

Ministry of Tourism

Caretaker Minister of Tourism Irena Georgieva pledged to keep working closely with municipalities and the tourism industry. She said her team would build on the progress made and strengthen Bulgaria’s position as a year-round tourist destination, and she praised her predecessor, Miroslav Borshosh, for stabilizing the sector and maintaining active dialogue with stakeholders.

Former tourism minister Miroslav Borshosh and Irena Georgieva discussed priorities for the ministry, results so far and projects to be developed, with a focus on sustainable growth in the sector, improving the business climate and promoting Bulgaria as a competitive tourist destination.

Ministry of Transport and Communications

The caretaker Minister of Transport and Communications, Korman Ismailov, formally assumed leadership of the ministry from Grozdan Karadjov. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ismailov said he would work to increase public trust in the institution and accelerate work at all levels. He added that a comprehensive review of the Ministry's activities would be carried out with a view to speeding up its work.

For his part, Karadjov said he was handing over a well-organized system and key reforms already under way, expressing hope that the new leadership would continue work on them.

Ministry of Environment and Water

Caretaker Environment Minister Julian Popov said he is committed to working in a spirit of continuity on the key areas of the ministry’s activities He took over from Manol Genov. The two discussed items on the Ministry’s agenda where work needs to continue and which are to be addressed in the medium term.

Former environment minister Manol Genov noted that he is leaving the ministry in good shape and praised his team’s performance. He presented Julian Popov with the symbolic key to the ministry, wishing him to "unlock with wisdom and lock with confidence."

Ministry of Energy

Protecting the national interest and developing a stable, competitive and sustainable energy sector will be the main priorities of caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov. Taking over from his predecessor, Zhecho Stankov, Traikov said the Energy Ministry's team would continue to protect the national interest and further develop a stable, competitive and sustainable energy sector.

Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works

Angelina Boneva, the caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, took over from her predecessor Ivan Ivanov. Boneva stated that her main mission over the next three months would be to work for fair elections, ensure stability in the sector and prevent suspension of key infrastructure projects.

Former minister Ivan Ivanov said he was leaving the ministry in good condition, with good progress on many of the key projects, and wished that work on them would continue with high quality and at a good pace.

Ministry of Innovation and Growth

Timely implementation of EU-supported programmes and the development of the innovation ecosystem are among the priorities of Irena Mladenova, Minister of Innovation and Growth in the new caretaker government of Prime Minister Andrey Gurov. She stressed the importance of developing the innovation ecosystem. "It is precisely innovations that can advance our country’s economy to the next step, and this is our task and goal," she stated.

Outgoing Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev said: "Behind every reform that was launched, there were people and efforts. Continuity would imply respect for their work and an assurance that results will be achieved."