The new chairman of Bulgaria's centre-right Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), Plamen Yurukov, has officially taken over as party leader from Petar Stoyanov on Monday.

In a traditional ceremony, Stoyanov, the former Bulgarian president, gave the keys to his office to Yurukov, quitting at the same time as the party's floor leader in the Parliament.

The symbolic "passing of the keys" is an important party tradition and tradition is the root of any party's authority, the outgoing chairman said.

Businessman Yurukov, who was elected to the job on Sunday, takes over with only months left before the local polls, which will test his ability to distance himself from the failings of his predecessors.

Speaking to state TV channel BNT on Monday, he emphasized that the party had to focus on developing and promoting policy proposals, not individuals.

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