site.btaGERB Challenge Constitutionality of Presidential Decree Appointing Caretaker Government

August 16 (BTA) - The parliamentary coalition of the
formerly ruling GERB party and UDF are challenging the
constitutionality of the presidential decree appointing the
caretaker government. A petition to the Constitutional Court was
 moved Monday by GERB deputy leader Daniel Mitov and two
deputies. They ask the court to check whether the Economy
Minister in the caretaker government had dual citizenship at the
 time the government was formed.

Kiril Petkov had Bulgarian and Canadian citizenship and has said
 on earlier occasion that he gave up his Canadian citizenship
before a notary when he was asked to join the caretaker
government.

According to Mitov, however, one cannot give up citizenship just
 by declaring so before a notary and that also takes an act by
the respective government.

Mitov also said that regardless of the answer, they want Petkov
removed from the government with immediate effect "because it is
 clear that his acts and decisions may be declared null and
void, and that would cause detriment to the State." "It is not a
 personal vendetta: we want the Constitution to be observed,"
Mitov said.

* * *

Later on Monday Petkov told reporters that as a national of
Bulgaria he had undertaken all necessary steps to give up his
foreign citizenship before becoming a minister. He argued that
it is impossible for administrative acts of third parties to
determine the participation of Bulgarians in the governing of
the country. /LN, ZH

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