Bulgaria’s Gyurov caretaker Cabinet: meet the ministers (updated)
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrei Gyurov’s Cabinet took the oath of office on February 19, becoming Bulgaria’s seventh caretaker government in less than five years and the first appointed by President Iliyana Yotova.
The new Cabinet was meant to mirror the structure of the Rossen Zhelyazkov government that preceded it in office, featuring three deputy prime minister, albeit with slightly modified portfolios.
That structure lasted only a day, with Stoil Tsitselkov, the Deputy PM for Fair Elections, resigning his position. Gyurov later decided not to appoint a replacement.
On March 4, Regional Development Minister Angelina Boneva resigned, citing health reasons. She was replaced by Nikolai Naidenov on March 10.
The CVs of the caretaker Cabinet members are as follows:
Prime Minister – Andrei Gyurov
Most recently deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank in charge of the issue department and member of the central bank’s managing board. Elected to Parliament three times between 2021 and 2023, serving on the budget and European affairs committees. Worked in the private sector for Volksbank Group and Harris Bank. Holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Vienna and has previously taught business administration at the American University in Bulgaria.
Deputy PM and Justice Minister – Andrey Yankulov
Former prosecutor with Sofia district and city prosecutor’s offices, until his resignation in 2019, to become chief legal expert of the Anti-Corruption Fund non-governmental organisation. Served as deputy interior minister in the Georgi Bliznashki caretaker government (2014) and deputy justice minister in the second Boiko Borissov administration (2014-16). Holds a master’s degree in law from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Deputy PM for European Funds – Maria Nedina
Former adviser to Atanas Pekanov, who served as deputy PM for EU funds management in the two Stefan Yanev (2021) and two Gulub Donev (2022-23) caretaker cabinets. Served as chief of staff to caretaker environment ministers Yulian Popov and Petar Dimitrov, as well as in advisory positions in the innovation and energy ministries, as well as the Council of Ministers. Worked in the private sector as senior data scientist at Twitter in Ireland. Holds a degree in business administration.
Finance Minister – Georgi Klisurski
Deputy mayor of Sofia for finance since October 2025, he previously served as deputy finance minister in the Nikolai Denkov cabinet (2023-24) and as advisor to Deputy PM and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev in the Kiril Petkov administration (2021-22). Holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a master’s in business administration from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Interior Minister – Emil Dechev
Former investigator with the Sofia department of the National Investigative Service and judge in the Pleven district court, Sofia District Court and Sofia City Court. Served as deputy justice minister in four consecutive administrations (2021-24), under Kiril Petkov, two caretaker governments of Gulub Donev, and Nikolai Denkov. Holds a degree in law from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Foreign Minister – Nadezhda Neynski
Held the same position in he Ivan Kostov administration (1997-2001). Elected to Parliament four times between 1994 and 2009, serving as deputy speaker in 2008-09, and on the national security and foreign affairs committees. Member of European Parliament in 2009-2014, serving on the budget and foreign affairs committees. Former Bulgarian ambassador to Turkey (2015-21). Holds a degree in Bulgarian philology from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Defence Minister – Atanas Zapryanov
Has held the position since April 2024, serving in the two Dimitar Glavchev caretaker cabinets and the Rossen Zhelyazkov administration. Former deputy defence minister in the Denkov administration (2023-24), the second and third Borissov administrations (2016-21). Holds the rank of lieutenant-general (reserve) and has previously served as head of Bulgaria’s G.S. Rakovski Military Academy and deputy head of the Bulgarian General Staff.
Labour and Social Policy Minister – Hassan Ademov
Returns to the portfolio he held in the Plamen Oresharski cabinet (2013-14). Elected repeatedly to Bulgaria’s National Assembly since 1997, he was head of the labour policy committee in four separate parliaments and has served on the demographic policy, health care and budget committees. Holds a doctor of medicine degree from Varna Medical University.
Regional Development and Public Works Minister – Nikolai Naydenov
Former deputy regional development minister in 2023-24, asl well as the Gyurov administration, Naydenov has extensive experience in investment projects and structural planning, as well as teaching at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia. Holds a Ph.D. in cartography from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia.
Transport and Communications Minister – Korman Ismailov
Former member of Parliament, where he served on the budget, defence and EU funds committees. Has worked in the private sector in the banking, insurance and business processes outsourcing industries. holds a degree in economics from the Selçuk University in Konya, Turkey.
Economy and Industry Minister – Irina Shtonova
Former deputy economy and industry minister in the two Gulub Donev caretaker cabinets and the Nikolai Denkov administration. Worked in the private sector for DirecTV and AT&T. Holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in economics from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Energy Minister – Traycho Traykov
Former economy, energy and tourism minister the first Boiko Borissov administration (2009-12), he was later elected Sofia municipal council member and mayor of the Sredets district of Sofia in 2019 and 2023. Has worked in the energy sector for electric utility EVN Bulgaria. Holds a degree in international economic relations from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.
Innovation and Growth Minister – Irena Mladenova
Former deputy economy minister in four caretaker cabinets of Marin Raykov (2013), Georgi Bliznashki (2014) and two Stefan Yanev governments (2021). Has served as an adviser to the Economy Ministry and the Bulgarian Presidential Administration. Holds a master’s degree in strategic management and a Ph.D. in business administration from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Agriculture and Food Minister – Ivan Hristanov
Founder of consumer credit company JetFinance International, acquired by BNP Paribas in 2007, he then joined as partner in the Empower Capital and Silverline Capital venture funds. Elected to Parliament in 2021 and 2022, he has also served as deputy agriculture minister. Holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.
Environment and Water Minister – Julian Popov
Held the same position in the Nikolai Denkov administration and the Marin Raykov caretaker Cabinet in 2013. Previously chief adviser to the European Climate Foundation of Central and Eastern Europe. Author of two books and many articles on sustainability, energy policies of the European Union and human rights.
Health Minister – Mihail Okoliyski
Former deputy health minister in the Nikolai Denkov administration, having served as the head of the World Health Organisation office in Sofia in 2014-23. Holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in psychology from the Humboldt University of Berlin. Author of research articles published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry and The Lancet Psychiatry.
Education and Science Minister – Sergey Ignatov
Held the same position in the first Boiko Borissov administration (2009-13). Professor Emeritus at New Bulgarian University, where he has taught since 1994, serving as its president in 2002-09. Founder and head of the Bulgarian Egyptology Institute, he is also a member of several international Egyptology and ancient studies associations. Holds a Ph.D. in history from St. Petersburg State University.
E-Government Minister – Georgi Sharkov
Cybersecurity specialist, head of the European Software Institute (Sofia) and the Cybersecurity Lab at Sofia Tech Park. Served as cybersecurity adviser to the Defence Ministry and as national cybersecurity coordinator in 2014-2021. Holds a degree in mathematics and Ph.D in artificial intelligence from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Culture Minister – Naiden Todorov
Held the same position in the second Gulub Donev (2023) and two Dimitar Glavchev (2024-25) caretaker cabinets. Has worked as conductor of several Bulgarian opera houses and was appointed head of the Sofia Philharmonic in 2017. Graduate of the Music and Performing Arts University Vienna, where he studied orchestra, choir and opera conducting.
Tourism Minister – Irena Georgieva
Has served as deputy tourism minister since 2015, in 12 elected and caretaker administrations. Has 25 years of experience in the tourism sector, having managed tourism agencies and served as member of the managing board of the association of Bulgarian tour operators and its chairperson in 2009-13. Holds a degree in sociology from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University.
Youth and Sports Minister – Dimitar Iliev
Held the same position in the Nikolai Denkov administration (2023-24). Eight-time winner of Bulgarian rally racing championship during a career that spanned from 1994 to 2013. An expert in road safety, he teaches at the National Sports Academy Vassil Levski.
(Photos: government.bg)
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