SOFIA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria will hold early parliamentary elections on April 19, Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova said on Wednesday, adding that she will issue a decree for the appointment of a caretaker government proposed by the prime minister-designate Andrey Gurov.
Iotova made the statement immediately after Gurov proposed the lineup of a caretaker government to her at a live televised meeting.
"I will issue a decree appointing your official cabinet and await your oath before the National Assembly, as well as issue a decree to hold parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026," Iotova told Gurov.
"The most important task is the preparation of fair parliamentary elections according to the laws of the country," Iotova said.
Dealing with the risks facing the country related to the energy system, rising commodity prices, and also defending national positions in Europe were among other tasks, she said.
Iotova appointed Gurov as a caretaker prime minister-designate and asked him to propose the lineup of a caretaker government last week, after the coalition government led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned in December 2025 and parliamentary parties subsequently failed to elect a new government.
Under the country's Constitution, the president, acting on a motion by the caretaker prime minister-designate, is obliged to appoint a caretaker cabinet, and schedule new elections within two months.
Gurov, 50, currently serves as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. He was previously a member of the Bulgarian Parliament and an associate professor at the American University in Bulgaria, specializing in corporate finance, risk management, company valuation, and investment management. ■