President Radev Unveils Caretaker Government, Its Priorities

Sofia, January 27 (BTA) - "The caretaker government has clear priorities: to ensure the normal functioning of the state, to hold fair elections and to go ahead with the preparations of Bulgaria's EU Presidency," said Friday President Rumen Radev at a ceremony, where he announced the structure and lineup of the caretaker cabinet and its priorities.

He said: "As of today Bulgaria will be governed by a caretaker government. It will be working in a complicated environment with sharpened domestic rhetoric. We are all aware that the country needs security and stability in this complex situation."

On Friday, the head of State decreed the appointment of the caretaker government with Ognyan Gerdjikov as caretaker prime minister, four deputy prime ministers and 19 ministers. Here follows the line-up:

Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov
Deputy PM in charge of social policies and Minister of Healthcare Ilko Semerdjiev
Deputy PM in charge of internal order and security and Minister of Defence Stefan Yanev
Deputy PM in charge of EU funding Malina Kroumova
Deputy PM in charge of the preparation of Bulgaria's EU presidency in 2018 Denitsa Zlateva
Interior Minister Plamen Ouzounov
Finance Minister Kiril Ananiev
Labour and Social Policy Minister Gulub Donev
Regional Development and Public Works Minister Spas Popnikolov
Education and Science Minister Nikolai Denkov
Foreign Minister Radi Naidenov
Justice Minister Maria Pavlova
Culture Minister Rashko Mladenov
Environment and Water Minister Irina Kostova
Agriculture and Food Minister Hristo Bozoukov
Transport, IT and Communications Minister Hristo Alexiev
Economy Minister Teodor Sedlarski
Energy Minister Nikolai Pavlov
Tourism Minister Stella Baltova
Youth and Sports Minister Daniela Dasheva.

"We will be contented if we contribute to the most important goal: decent life for every Bulgarian, and a dignified, democratic and respected Bulgaria," said caretaker Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov at the ceremony.

Gerdjikov said that the name "caretaker" implied service to the people and the motherland. "The cabinet that I am heading is ready to dedicate itself to this kind of service," he said. Addressing the outgoing government, Gerdjikov said that the caretaker government won't deny or undermine its accomplishments, and good things will be built on but at the same time mistakes will be addressed.

The Prime Minister outlined as one of the main tasks of its cabinet the holding of early elections and added that in the past decades the election process has been fraught with blatant irregularities. "We'll do our best to put an end or at least limit these vicious practices," he said.

Among the other priorities of the caretaker government he listed the preparations for Bulgaria's EU Presidency. "We'll make every effort to sustain the fiscal stability," Gerdjikov said.

He added that the meaning of government was in bettering the state and institutions so that they can serve people well.