site.btaUPDATED President Holds Consultations with Parliamentary Groups on New Caretaker Government

President Rumen Radev held consultations with the parliamentary groups on Thursday, ahead of the appointment of a new caretaker government. "Unfortunately, the 50th National Assembly failed to form a government and we are heading for elections," Radev said at the start of the meeting, adding that the election campaign has already started. The President urged the parliamentary groups to be precise and reasoned during the consultations.

Representatives of all parliamentary groups are attending the consultations. Vice President Iliana Iotova was also in attendance.

Addressing the meeting, Radev stressed that not only Dimitar Glavchev, but other figures have also expressed readiness to be appointed as caretaker prime minister. However, the President refused to announce the names of the other persons he was referring to. Radev voiced hope to take a decision based on the consultations and talks with the parliamentary groups as soon as possible. He underscored that he would then announce the date of the snap parliamentary elections.

The talks come after the parliamentary forces failed to reach agreement on a regular government following the snap parliamentary elections on June 9. The Bulgarian Constitution says that after the parties fail to put together a regular government, the President should hold consultations with the parliamentary groups, should appoint a caretaker government at the proposal of a caretaker Prime Minister-designate, and should schedule elections within two months. After the Constitution was amended in December 2023, the President can choose the caretaker Prime Minister-designate from among several options: the Chair of the National Assembly, the Governor or a Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, the President or a Vice President of the National Audit Office, and the Ombudsman or a Deputy Ombudsman. The offices of the Ombudsman and his deputies are currently vacant.

Addressing the President at the meeting on Thursday, GERB-UDF MP Rosen Zhelyazkov said: "Political groups and political representatives in the National Assembly should not interfere in these competences, to give advice and guidance on what the cabinet should be and who should be nominated as prime minister and ministers, because this lies entirely within your competences and the competences of the prime minister, appointed by you".

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria floor leader Nikolay Denkov urged Radev to consider appointing different Interior Ministry leadership during the consultations. Denkov stressed that the primary task of a caretaker cabinet is to ensure fair elections. "We have no trust in the acting interior minister. I have enough information that there is a problem," Denkov said.

Speaking on behalf of the parliamentary group of Vazrazhdane, party leader Kostadin Kostadinov stressed that they believe that there is currently no suitable prime minister candidate. "This consultation is completely pointless," Kostadinov added.

According to Jordan Tzonev of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, a parliament that lacks a majority to be responsible for the state’s budget and legislative activities, is dangerous because it produces bad and harmful legislation, a legislation of poor quality. "The easiest thing to do when there is no accountability is to be all populist. The sooner this parliament concludes its work, the less dangers for legislation and financial stability [there will be]," Tzonev added.

BSP for Bulgaria floor leader Borislav Gutsanov reiterated that it is important for the caretaker Prime Minister to remain impartial to all political parties.

Local by-elections will be held on October 20, and a two-in-one vote will likely lead to an increase in voter turnout, Gutsanov said. "We believe that such a date would be more acceptable and if it is later, it could be considered something more normal," he added.

Responding to Gutsanov’s proposal, President Radev said that he will make sure the procedure is beneficial for the political parties and the work of Parliament, taking into consideration the parties' views on campaigning.