site.btaFebruary 12, 1997: Caretaker Cabinet of Stefan Sofiyanski Takes Office

On February 12, 1997, the caretaker government of Stefan Sofiyanski swore in. It was appointed by decree of President Peter Stoyanov, who on the same day dissolved the National Assembly and scheduled early parliamentary elections for April 19, 1997. The caretaker government stayed in office until May 21, 1997. 

Following is BTA's article on the news:    

Prime Minister Stefan Sofiyanski and the caretaker ministers, appointed by decree of President Peter Stoyanov, took oath before the head of State to serve Bulgaria. As he was handing the decree to the caretaker government, President Stoyanov said that he is appointing the Cabinet with the task to put an end to the agony of the outgoing Socialist cabinet.

He emphasized that part of the measures that the caretaker government will undertake will be unpopular.  Stoyanov was categorical that if there is enough will and skill to protect the national interests, Bulgaria will receive the promised aid from Brussels. "I put up this government not in the political kitchen but in the political living-room, before everybody's eyes and I claim that no economic group, no political force has influenced me in the formation of the Cabinet," Stoyanov said.

"Never has the Bulgarian people laid so much hope and expectations with a caretaker government," President Stoyanov said at the ceremony.  In a later statement for the nation, Stoyanov said that the caretaker government will provide for the Bulgarian people the exact parameters of the economic crisis and the urgent measures needed to ensure survival of the poorest layers of the nation.  Outlining the grave financial and economic state of the country, the President said that among the priorities of the future Cabinet will be to prevent Bulgaria's plundering by criminal persons and gangs, including those enjoying political protection, to halt the transfer of valuables out of the country, to clear the state apparatus and to crack down on corruption.  Mr Stoyanov added that those to blame will be held legally responsible.

The Prime Minister will make public on a weekly basis the results of the performance of the caretaker government and will state the prospects for the next short period, Peter Stoyanov said. In his view, publicity and transparency are the guarantee for this cabinet's efficient performance. The President reiterated that no significant improvement can be expected over the next few months in the economic state of the country or in the financial and social situation of the Bulgarian citizens.

This will be a wise government with a human face, Stefan Sofiyanski told reporters.  He emphasized that the country is experiencing a severe crisis, which could only be overcome by joint efforts. "It is important that we leave aside petty conflicts and pool forces to change something in this country, to lay the groundwork for a sustainable growth," said Sofiyanski.  He is an optimist and believes Bulgaria will make it with joint efforts.

Political analysts say Sofiyanski enjoys an equally high approval by both the Socialist party, until recently the ruling formation, and the anti-communist Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) whose supporters elected him to the mayoral office in late 1995.

The 45-year-old economist is married with three children.  He started his career at the Ministry of Information and Communications where he served from 1973-76.  In the course of 14 years till 1990 he worked at the Institute of Economy, Organization and Management of Construction.  From 1991 till 1993 he headed the Committee of Posts and Telecommunications but was forced to quit by Lyuben Berov, the prime minister of a coalition government that held office from late 1992 till late 1994, for participating in a protest rally of the UDF. "I believe one should say out his political views," he said on this occasion. Then he became deputy leader of the UDF.

From 1993 till 1994, he was member of the Managing Board of the Post Bank, believed to be one of the most stable state-owned banks, and
headed the Managing Board of the upscale Vitosha Hotel, now Inter-Continental.  In 1994, he was elected to the 37th National Assembly on the UDF ticket.

Sofiyanski became Sofia Mayor after winning a landslide victory over the candidate of the Socialist party.  A poll held an year after he stepped in office showed he enjoyed a 70% approval rating among Sofianites, extraordinarily high for such an office.  During his first year in office, he took up the most pressing problems of the capital city.  He repaired many of Sofia's badly potholed streets and several major thoroughfares, opened a hot-line for complaints and recommendations, managed to clean the dirty streets and fix street lights, and opened soup-kitchens that still run in spite of severe
fund shortages. He also opened a Municipal Bank.

Sofiyanski is an ardent reformist.  "We have a potential - both economic and political - and if we take it to work we will succeed with the reforms.  We should convince people to embrace the ideas of reforms and the will for implementing them," he said several days ago before he was officially named as head of Government. He said a working caretaker government will provide a flying start for the government to be appointed after early general
elections around mid-April.