Career diplomat, Konstantin Dimitrov, from DSB is spelled as top candidate to replace Rumiana Jeleva as Foreign Affairs Minister. Photo by BGNES
After Bulgaria’s ruling GERB party accepted the resignation of Rumiana Jeleva as Foreign Minister, the next step for her could be a diplomatic appointment.
According to unnamed diplomatic sources, Jeleva, who is fluent in German, will become Ambassador of Bulgaria in some European German-speaking capital such as Berlin, Vienna or Bern.
The information has not been officially confirmed.
The Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party further informs that they have not yet even discussed Jeleva’s possible replacement.
Some of the most widely-circulated names are those of Deputy Foreign Minister, Konstantin Dimitrov, his counterpart, Marin Raikov, former Bulgarian UN Ambassador, Stefan Tafov, and Defense Minister, Nikolay Mladenov.
They all deny having been approached about possible appointment.
On January 12, now ex Foreign Minister and Bulgaria's nominee for EU Commissioner, Rumiana Jeleva, stirred a scandal during her hearing at the European Parliament, when she was questioned over her alleged failure to list financial interests in her conflict of interests declaration. She faced tough questions from MEPs and received a failing grade on both integrity and competence.
On January 19, Jeleva withdrew her candidature. Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President of the World Bank, was named Bulgaria’s new EU Commissioner-designate.