Bulgarian President, Rosen Plevneliev, has delivered a keynote speech in presenting the caretaker government, saying he was fully responsible for its formation.

He said he wanted the third caretaker government in the country's history to also calm the nation and give direction in times of crisis, as the previous two have done.

Plevneliev explained the social crisis triggered by poverty and unemployment grew to a political and parliamentary one with the resignation of the government of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and his ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB.

He stressed he sought to no avail the support of the outgoing Cabinet and Parliament; conducted 4 rounds of consultations and called the National Security Council only to realize the trust in them had crashed and the only way out was the snap election.

"I adhere to the Constitution strictly. I will appoint the caretaker government on Wednesday; will dissolve the Parliament on March 15, and schedule the election for May 12, after the Easter holiday. I have not allowed anyone to pressure me in forming the Cabinet. I believe the caretaker PM must be a good diplomat, who knows how to listen and be heard; to be reasonable, competent; know the situation in Bulgaria, the region, Europe and the world; to defend Bulgaria's interests in Brussels," said Plevneliev.

After the above he proceeded to introduce the country's Ambassador to France, Marin Raykov, as caretaker PM and Foreign Affairs Minister.

The President noted he has designated as Deputy PMs three young women, who will also serve as Ministers of Economy, Social Policy, and Management of EU Funds.

Plevneliev stressed all caretaker ministers were men and women, who were self-made outstanding experts and persons.

He also revealed that Bulgaria will have for the first time a Minister for the Electronic Government, who will coordinate actions to prepare and implement such government to facilitate the business and reduce corruption.

The President listed as key priorities of the caretaker government reinstating trust in the institutions, transparency and civic control; becoming a warrant for a free and democratic election, and establishing a civic board for fair election at the office of the PM.

"The caretaker Cabinet will serve the people, not the political elite; will prepare the election, but not run for political posts. Its efforts would be directed towards achieving efficiency; fighting monopolies; reforming the State Agency for Energy and Water Regulation, DKEVR, to become an effective regulator; conduct a full audit of the entire chain of forming electric prices and make the results public, and establish fair market prices," he said.

Plevneliev vowed retirement pensions will be increased, as planned on April 1, and the caretaker Cabinet would not allow a "vacuum" in the absorption of EU funds.

It would also prepare the implementation of opportunities for consumers to be able to have a choice in deciding on their electric power supplier. There will be public councils, with energy and environment being their top priorities.

The President further informed he would appoint a Deputy Economy Minister to deal with the small and medium business and to make the effort to repay the money that is owed to them by the State.

"We must encourage the business, not the State. Our main problem is low income, but poverty is not a diagnosis or a sin. I want the political parties to be honest and make clear commitments; to assist the people in achieving their demands. This would help a great deal in the current situation. The victory of the common person is the most important thing now. The caretaker government must fulfill its mission for a dignified and democratic transition to a new democratically elected one," he explained.

Plevneliev concluded he was certain all caretaker ministers stand for the European choice of the country, and called on everyone to give them a chance to do the job first, before judging them.

On February 21, Bulgaria's Parliament approved the resignation of the government of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, and his ruling party GERB, amidst unprecedented since 1997 protest rallies against the unbearable utility bills, the monopolies and the wide-spread poverty, which later turned into a civil unrest and political demands.

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