Government of Bulgaria

"We are opening a discussion and we have a proposal to abolish the green certificate as soon as we reach 60 percent vaccination." This was stated by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov at a briefing at the Council of Ministers.

President Rumen Radev and Vice President Iliana Yotova were sworn in for their second term at a solemn ceremony in the National Assembly.

The two, as well as all officials present in the plenary hall, were welcomed by a representative guard company at the central entrance of the National Assembly.

The leader of 'We continue the change', Kiril Petkov greets fans before the first session of the parliament in Sofia, December 3, 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

The vote put an end to an almost year-long political logjam in Bulgaria, which now sees its biggest political shift in more than a decade.

Kiril Petkov is the new Prime Minister of Bulgaria. He became the head of the Council of Ministers after receiving the support of 134 deputies from "We Continue Change", BSP, "There Is Such a People" and "Democratic Bulgaria". Today, the National Assembly held an extraordinary sitting to approve the country's new government.

Bulgaria finally has a new government, after parliament voted on three points this afternoon - the election of a prime minister, the adoption of a structure of the Council of Ministers and the election of a cabinet.

Exactly at 16:01 p.m. Kiril Petkov was elected Prime Minister of Bulgaria. His candidacy was accepted by 134 votes to 104.

For the first time, Hristo Petrov from "We Continue the Change", who is known as the rapper Itzo Hazarta (Itzo The Gambler), spoke from the parliamentary rostrum. He told how Kiril Petkov invited him as a candidate for deputy, after which he asked people from political circles why he should not trust him.

Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev, who yesterday made public accusations of violations of the law against Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov, appeared in the National Assembly today for the oath of the new government. On the sidelines, he attacked Rashkov again, who is expected to be elected to the regular cabinet in a few minutes.

"Today is an important day to continue the change - in thinking and in government. Our first task is to realize that if we want a better future for Bulgaria, we must work together," said Prime Minister-designate Kiril Petkov in a speech to parliament.

227 out of 240 MPs registered in the plenary hall. Instead of presenting Kiril Petkov's candidacy, the plenary day began with a declaration on behalf of the GERB-SDS group, which will not support the draft cabinet.

The candidate for Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Ministers and the ministers from the draft cabinet "Petkov" arrived at the National Assembly, where Kiril Petkov listed the names of each one, BGNES reported.