GERB-UDF’s PM designate Mariya Gabriel presented proposed government line-up to President Radev

At 16.15 on March 19, Mariya Gabriel, designated for Prime Minister by GERB-UDF, presented President Rumen Radev with the draft line-up of the government.

The proposed cabinet line-up was presented a day after GERB-UDF received the first mandate to form a government.

Until the last moment, there was no clarity about the outcome of the negotiations between GERB-UDF and We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB), which continued this afternoon. Mariya Gabriel told the President that the two political factions have no differences on reforms in the judiciary, regulators and the fight against corruption.

"I am aware of the responsibility I have, I am aware of how important it is for Bulgaria to have a stable government in order to complete key priorities for the country," Mariya Gabriel said.

The proposed government is as follows:

Prime Minister, Foreign Minister: Mariya Gabriel

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs: Nikolai Denkov

Minister of Finance: Assen Vassilev

Minister of Defence: Hristo Gadzhev

Minister of Interior: Kalin Stoyanov

Minister of Regional Development and Public Works: Andrey Tsekov

Minister of Justice: Atanas Slavov

Minister of Culture: Krastyu Krastev

Minister of Agriculture and Food: Kiril Vatev

Innovations Minister: Rosen Zhelyazkov

Minister of Economy: Bogdan Bogdanov

Minister of Education: Galin Tzokov

Minister of Transport and Communications: Georgi Gvozdeikov

Minister of Electronic Governance: Valentin Mundrov

Minister of Health: Katya Paneva

Minister of Tourism: Zaritsa Dinkova

Minister of Labour and Social Policy: Ivanka Shalapatova

Minister of Environment and Water: Ivelina Vasileva

Minister of Youth and Sports: Dimitar Iliev

"I will not compromise with the Constitution, the rule of law and the most democratic practices - publicity and transparency", Gabriel added. In her words, the priorities of Bulgarian citizens in the economic and social spheres are as important as regulators and the fight against corruption.

The President replied that today he would issue a decree and send the proposed cabinet line-up to the Parliament.

On her way out of the Presidency, she said that our country needs a stable government - for Schengen, for the euro area and the European agenda.

"I make it very clear that the responsibility is shared, it is based on principles and priorities. We have no differences on reforms related to the judiciary, anti-corruption measures, regulators. Bulgaria needs a government, the country cannot be sent to new elections", Mariya Gabriel said.

24-hour deadline given by power sharing partners for negotiations on continuation of joint governance is over, not clear yet whether agreement has been reached