ISTANBUL

Bulgaria’s caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and his cabinet took the oath of office before the National Assembly on Thursday, the Bulgarian News Agency reported.

President Iliana Iotova attended the swearing-in ceremony.

She also set the parliamentary elections for April 19.

Last week, Bulgarian National Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gurov accepted the mandate to form a caretaker government.

Bulgaria has been without a regular government since Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov submitted his Cabinet’s resignation on Dec. 11, 2025, after weeks of protests.

In mid-December, the president initiated the constitutional procedure for forming a new government, holding consultations with parliamentary groups in the 51st National Assembly.

Following three failed attempts to establish a government, the president was required to appoint a caretaker Cabinet and schedule early parliamentary elections within two months.

Separately, former President Rumen Radev resigned last month, transferring his duties to Vice President Iliana Iotova.