site.btaJoint Governance Council Chair Comments on Nominations of Regulators' Heads, Deputy Ministers

Joint Governance Council Chair Kostadin Angelov (GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader) said that the ruling parties' goal is to select experts with proven qualities and experience to head the regulators in the country. On Bulgarian National Television's morning show, he underlined that ordinary majority will be enough for the selection of leaders of some regulators, but for others, more than 121 votes will be required: "We must work with all parties to achieve the desired result."

The MP explained that each parliamentary group will have the right to nominate its representative, followed by a discussion and hearing of the nominees, and finally, a vote.

Regarding the appointment of deputy ministers, Angelov stated that each parliamentary group will propose a candidate to the Joint Governance Council, which will be discussed. If the proposal receives the necessary support, it will be presented to the Prime Minister for appointment, he explained. According to him, the most important thing is that these people have professional skills and experience to solve problems in the relevant field. When asked if Democracy, Rights, and Freedoms (DRF) would have their deputy ministers, Angelov responded: "If they propose a suitable candidate – yes, but at this point, they have not made any such proposals."

Regarding the adoption of the 2025 state budget, Angelov commented that GERB will present a draft budget that will allow the country to join the eurozone without cutting pensions or reducing administrative staff' salaries, and there will be no increase in taxes or contributions.

Angelov said that there is a declared intention in Parliament to ban vapes for children and young people under the age of 18. He shared that he had heard comments suggesting that vapes are a tool for quitting smoking. However, he believes that no one can convince him that something less harmful should replace something more harmful. He stressed that it is important for society to recognize and respond to the problem, because, in his words, "we cannot place a police officer next to every child or in every store." Angelov said that he also sees a societal inclination towards banning energy drinks. He warned that such a drink contains nearly three cups of coffee and highlighted the health risks it brings for children.