Rumen Radev, who won Bulgaria’s elections last month on promises to fight graft, was named prime minister on Thursday, May 7th—raising hopes of a stable government after eight national votes in five years.
Radev, who resigned as president earlier this year to run in the election, has vowed to dismantle what he calls the “oligarchic model.” After receiving the mandate from President Iliana Iotova, he said Bulgarians
confirmed their desire for stable institutions and for the defence of freedom, democracy and justice.
The 62-year-old former general and fighter pilot also presented his Cabinet line-up. His ministers are largely former presidential advisers and close associates, including a former air force colleague as defence minister. The composition of the cabinet was kept secret until the last moment, and Radev has made no public statements since the elections except at parliament’s inaugural session.
The April 19th election delivered the first outright parliamentary majority for a single formation in Bulgaria since 1997, with Radev’s coalition Progressive Bulgaria winning 131 of 240 seats.
