site.btaBSP Questions Impartiality of Caretaker Cabinet after Regional Governors' Appointment

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Chair Krum Zarkov said that the impartiality of the caretaker cabinet is at risk following the appointment of regional governors with political affiliations and the quick resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for fair elections. He was speaking at a press conference after the first meeting of the party’s new Executive Bureau on Tuesday.

"We call on the Government to respond swiftly to the criticism and act in a way that safeguards the principle of fair elections and the integrity of its work," he added.

The Executive Bureau recalled that the institution of a caretaker government is enshrined in the Constitution to ensure an impartial arbiter and stronger guarantees for fair elections. "Although recent constitutional amendments have unfortunately created conditions for this not to hold, every caretaker cabinet remains obliged to uphold political impartiality," Zarkov said.

He expressed concerns that the newly appointed regional governors are linked to one of the political forces contesting the elections, adding that it is natural that they come from CC-DB, given that Prime Minister Gurov also originates from this configuration. Zarkov warned that Gurov will be judged on how he manages the elections, highlighting the need of an impartial arbiter, and not a partisan cabinet.

BSP Deputy Chair and BSP-Sofia Chair Ivan Takov described the appointment of Vyara Todeva as regional governor of Sofia City as "a major provocation" against the Socialist Party. "She has already served as a regional governor and, as you well recall, she used a flex tool to cut the Monument to the Soviet Army," he said. Takov added that the decision has cost the state hundreds of thousands of levs for dismantling, for security of the cut figures, and for protection of the surrounding area. "All 28 regional governors were replaced at once, and all appear to be party appointees, raising serious questions," he added.

Zarkov also commented on the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) session regarding acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov. "The BSP Executive Bureau considers that Sarafov is performing the functions of Prosecutor General in violation of the law. He is not merely illegitimate, he is illegal. It is time for the responsible institutions, primarily the SJC, to acknowledge this and take necessary action," he said.

On changes in the Interior Ministry, Zarkov said the Minister has initiated significant restructuring affecting the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, and reportedly regional directors. "We will have to see the final outcome of these moves, as yesterday they were still trying to find one another," he added.

When asked whether President Rumen Radev (2017-2026) would run in coalition with BSP in the upcoming elections, Zarkov said the topic had not been discussed by the Executive Bureau.