President Radev handed over first mandate to seek to form a government to PM designate Mariya Gabriel nominated by GERB-UDF

President Rumen Radev handed over the first mandate to seek to form a government to Mariya Gabriel, nominated by the largest parliamentary group GERB-UDF.

"I expect you to present the structure and composition of the Council of Ministers within a week, as provided for by the Constitution. You are aware that you are facing many obstacles on this path, but I will be expecting you next Monday with the line-up of this government. I see today and tomorrow as decisive days," President Rumen Radev said when handing over the mandate.

Mariya Gabriel responded that she takes the exploratory mandate with responsibility and thanked Radev that he and the presidential institution are a guarantee for the respect of the Constitution. She stressed that she would count on broad support around the priorities that all political forces recognise as important for Bulgaria.

"I would like to assure you that I will do everything possible within this exploratory mandate for Bulgaria to have a stable, responsible, working government. Therefore, my proposal is an expert government with clear priorities that have one goal - the well-being of the Bulgarians and the god reputation of Bulgaria. That is why I sincerely believe that the support I will seek will send out a message of ambition, that we are capable of coming together and electing a working government. That we will work for Bulgaria's prestige in Europe and the world and unleash the potential of the country and its talents. And, of course, at the heart of all this will be a commitment to the people and to the country. I have already had the opportunity to talk to the parliamentary forces, to outline these priorities in much more detail. Very clear objectives have been said and shared," Gabriel said after receiving the mandate.

Prime Minister-designate Mariya Gabriel will have one week to present the composition and structure of a future government. The cabinet must then be voted on by the National Assembly.

Yesterday it became clear that Gabriel will propose an expert government with a horizon of one year.

Images by Dessislava Kulelieva, BNT