Eurasia Press & News
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said that early elections will be held on May 12, while demonstrators who caused the fall of the government said they would keep protesting.Plevneliev on Tuesday announced when the polls would be held and said that the earliest possible date for dissolving parliament and appointing a caretaker government would be March 13.
The timeframe is in keeping with the Bulgarian constitution, which stipulates that an election must be held no later than two months after the dissolution of parliament.
In response to questions about the make-up of the caretaker government, Plevneliev refused to divulge any names that were being considered but told journalists that the cabinet would have a novel structure, with three deputy prime ministers, one in charge of labour and social policy, one responsible for EU funds, and one “who is competent in economic affairs”.
Plevneliev said that he had conducted broad consultations and concluded that forming a government within the current parliament was impossible.
Protesters meanwhile have announced plans for a blockade of parliament on Wednesday, demanding a radical overhaul of the political system.
Some 50 people gathered at an impromptu tent camp nearby on Tuesday and demonstrations took place in other cities as well.
Around 300 people gathered in Varna and laid flowers in front of the municipality building to commemorate the death of protester Plamen Goranov who set himself on fire there on February 20.
Outgoing Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said Wednesday would be a day of mourning for Goranov.
