site.btaCaretaker PM Bliznashki: Restoring Civil Society's Trust in Political Institutions Is Needed

Sofia, August 6 (BTA) - The need to restore civil society's trust in this country's political institutions is obvious, "and that is why we will do everything possible to conduct the elections with civil society's active participation," said the newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki during the ceremony at the Council of Ministers at which the new cabinet took office on Wednesday.

Society lived through some dramatic commotion in the past year and that was for the better, because the parliamentary democracy has its sound logic "and we must stick to its values and principles," Bliznashki said.

He recalled the caretaker cabinet's tasks, outlined by the President - conducting free and fair parliamentary elections, stabilizing the principal public systems, restoring the trust of partners within the EU and NATO, and continuing the key reforms which have been started. "We have not sought extraordinary powers," Bliznashki said, adding that his Cabinet is very well aware of its limited term in office and powers.

Speaking during the ceremony, former prime minister Plamen Oresharski said that a year ago, his government took office in times of a deep crisis and worked in the most complicated political environment in Bulgaria's modern history. "Despite this, we fulfilled a large part of our commitments," he said.

"We were guided by the interest of the people, although resistance was not little," he added. All business indexes registered constant improvement, the former prime minister underscored. The industrial production index grew in seven consecutive months. The recently issued Eurobonds were very successful, despite the growing political tension. The fiscal reserve's level stands at 8.5 billion leva, Oresharski went on to say.

The caretaker Cabinet will meet for the first time on Wednesday, said the new Government's press centre.