Mariya Gabriel

"GERB puts the government and the work of the parliament at risk by relying on floating majorities with which they push their decisions", the deputy from "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" Kiril Petkov warned today in the parliament. He refers to the failed two hearings of the Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov yesterday - in the plenary hall and before the legal committee.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel held a meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister is on a working visit to the Belgian capital.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will ask Bulgaria to send a woman to replace the resigned European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, said the Commission's spokesperson Eric Mamer.

He emphasized that the President is very keen on gender equality in the Commission.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel stated that GERB leader Boyko Borissov will not change his mind and will not give up his immunity until the judicial reform is implemented.

At a ceremony this morning, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel accepted the position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Acting Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov.

"All together we must defend the place and role of our country in the EU and in the world. Let's turn challenges into opportunities," said Gabriel during the ceremony.

Nikolay Denkov speaks after taking his oath in parliament in Sofia on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

The new Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov (R) and the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel (L) after taking the oath at the Parliament in Sofia, Bulgaria, 06 June 2023. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

The new government came to power with 132 votes in favour and 69 against.

WCC-DB renewed negotiations with GERB-SDS in the National Assembly, led by the nominees for prime ministers from both coalitions, Nikolay Denkov and Mariya Gabriel, and in the presence of the leaders of the political formations.

The negotiations between WCC-DB and GERB-SDS resume today. This was confirmed by Nikolay Denkov, nominated for the second term as prime minister.

The executive committee of GERB will meet today to analyze the new political situation after yesterday the deputy of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" Radostin Vassilev announced that he was leaving the group and released a recording made by him without the knowledge of his colleagues from a meeting of the leadership of "We Continue the Change".