Bulgaria's Caretaker Govt to Have 3 Deputy Prime Ministers

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is expected to appoint a caretaker government on Tuesday afternoon.

Bulgaria's head of state and the caretaker Prime Minister are expected to make public statements.

The caretaker government is to prepare the early elections scheduled for May 12.

One week ago, Plevneliev declared that there would be three caretaker Deputy Prime Ministers.

In an interview for Austrian Der Standard, Bulgaria's President described the candidate-Ministers as successful people who built their competence and reputation on their own.

At 4 pm on Tuesday, Plevneliev is to announce the caretaker government panel which is to function under the motto of "For Europe, for democracy, for economic development."

Plevneliev, as cited by Darik radio, explained that the three Deputy Prime Ministers to be included in the caretaker government would be "en economically competent person who sets the direction for development", the Minister of Labor and Social Policy and the EU Funds Minister.

"EU funds are of crucial importance for Bulgaria, especially during a crisis," he pointed out.

Bulgaria's head of state also told journalists that public councils would be established at all ministries in the caretaker government to make sure that a wide range of opinions were taken into consideration.

On February 21, Bulgaria's Parliament approved the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his ruling center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party amid unprecedented protests against unbearable utility bills, monopolies and wide-spread poverty.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has set the date for early elections at May 12, just two months ahead of the regular date in July.