site.btaUPDATED PM-Designate Zhelyazkov Presents GERB-UDF's Draft Cabinet

GERB-UDF's prime minister-designate Rosen Zhelyazkov presented the structure, lineup and priorities of the party's proposal for cabinet from the  parliamentary rostrum on Wednesday. He said his draft cabinet aims to restore effective governance.

Zhelyazkov pointed out that the turnout at the 1990 parliamentary elections was 83%, while in the last elections it reached as low as 34%. "2021 was marked by four elections - three parliamentary and one presidential. On average, elections have been held every six months for the past three years. All of this has led to a disinterest in the public, which has become apathetic and no longer has trust to give," he said. "This is the reaction of the people. There are two paths ahead. One is clear, it is the path of division. The other is difficult, because the path of unity is always difficult, but it is necessary because of the major tasks that lie ahead for the country for the good of the people," GERB-UDF's prime minister-designate said. 

"To overcome this trend, I propose the formation of a government with a clear political mandate and priorities for the protection and development of our national interests, including through Bulgaria's belonging to the European value system based on our membership in the EU and NATO," he said.

"I presented a cabinet structure and composition with no assured majority, neither political nor floating. This cabinet will exercise executive power as a minority cabinet, we will implement a programme with policies aimed at making up for lost time, minimiзing the damage to date and focusing on public economic development," Zhelyazkov said. "We will achieve it together, with modernization, digitalization, industrial and infrastructural development, restart of major infrastructure projects and their completion, increasing labour productivity with a change in the product structure to one with higher added value. Digitalization not only as modernization, but also as a tool for efficiency of public processes, reduction of administrative and corruption burden," he added.

"We will dedicate a major part of our policies to education and labour market," he explained.

The prime minister-designate also pointed to specific resources to tackle unemployment, linked to qualification or certification of work skills, attracting labour from the Bulgarian diaspora and third countries. "We will prioritize sound and sustainable reform of institutions with a focus on citizens, their interests and the need to set and achieve justice and fairness, in line with the constitutional order and with broad public participation," Zhelyazkov said. 

He pointed out that one of the main functions of the parties is to elect politically prepared, professionally competent people who will materialize public trust with results. "That is why my proposed composition of the Council of Ministers is not one of the next ministers but one of the vetted ministers. That is why I pledge that if we are trusted, I and my colleagues will work hard, honestly and with integrity to ensure that Bulgaria regains its self-confidence and respect," he said.

GERB-UDF MP Temenuzhka Petkova presented Zhelyazkov's nomination, arguing that he possesses "extremely high moral and professional qualities and is distinguished by his willingness to dialogue". Petkova pointed out that if Zhelyazkov is elected, he will be "a truly worthy prime minister of Bulgaria". 

On July 1, Zhelyazkov accepted the exploratory mandate to form a government from President Rumen Radev. Later, the head of State issued a decree proposing that the 50th National Assembly elect the candidate for prime minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.