Bulgarian PM: Caretaker Govt Will Not Make Political Judgments

Bulgaria's newly appointed Prime Minister Marin Raykov has rejected the proposal of left-wing opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, leader Sergey Stanishev to audit the resigned GERB Cabinet and to dismiss all deputy ministers still holding their posts.

The two held an hour and a half meeting on Friday.

Raykov said he believed replacing entire teams would not be productive, adding only those who wish to resign or for whom there is evidence of poor job performance would be let go.

Regarding Stanishev's call to him to assess the legacy of the government of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and his centrist Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB, the PM noted he was leading a neutral government that would not make political evaluations, including of BSP.

"The measures we will undertake would show what we have inherited," said he.

Stanishev stated the Socialists will monitor on a daily basis how the caretaker government would deliver and carry out as its priority the preparation and organization of a fair and free snap election. He stressed now former GERB Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, continued to have strong influence in the institution, insisting all his deputies and those employees who will organize the election must be released.

Raykov and Stanishev have discussed the situation in the country with the Stanishev, who is also the leader of the Party of European Socialists, PES, and former PM, presenting a list of measures to overcome the political and economic crisis, which would become the foundation of BSP policies if the party is to form the next Cabinet.

On February 21, Bulgaria's Parliament approved the resignation of Borisov's GERB government amidst unprecedented since 1997 protest rallies against sky-high utility bills, monopolies, stagnation, corruption and wide-spread poverty, which later turned into a civil unrest and political demands.

Snap general election is to be held May 12, just two months ahead of the regular date in July.

President, Rosen Plevneliev, named the caretaker government on March 12.