After weeks of unofficial discussions and party maneuvering, the final composition of “Progressive Bulgaria’s” regular cabinet has been formally unveiled. Following President Iliyana Yotova’s handover of the first mandate to the largest parliamentary force in the 52nd National Assembly, Prime Minister‑designate Rumen Radev presented a fully prepared government lineup. Many of the names previously circulating in unofficial lists have been confirmed, but several surprise appointments and portfolio shifts have emerged, along with a dozen new faces who were not mentioned in earlier speculation.
The Prime Minister: From President to Premier – Rumen Radev takes the helm
As widely expected, Rumen Radev will head the government himself, becoming the first former president to assume the premiership after resigning from Bulgaria’s highest office. A Major General and former Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force with over 1,400 flight hours, Radev won the presidency twice (2016, 2021) and served nine years as head of state. He appointed seven caretaker governments before stepping down on January 19, 2026, to enter party politics. His coalition “Progressive Bulgaria” won an outright parliamentary majority in the April 19 elections – the largest since 1997.
Radev’s political career has been marked by confrontations with GERB leader Boyko Borissov and DPS figure Delyan Peevski, as well as sharp criticism of the “We Continue the Change” (Petkov 2021) government. He opposed the 2023 constitutional changes that limited the president’s choice of caretaker prime minister, calling them a “house book” election. In foreign policy, he has been both a supporter and a critic of Bulgaria’s alliances, and his comment that Crimea is “currently Russian” sparked controversy. Now, as prime minister, he is expected to exercise strong control over the executive, particularly defense and foreign policy, while focusing on inflation control, judicial reform, budget transparency, and safeguarding EU recovery funds.
Further reading: NATO Pilot, Putin Sympathizer, or Something Else? Who Is Rumen Radev and Why Did He Just Blow Up Bulgarian Politics
Deputy Prime Ministers
The cabinet will have four deputy prime ministers:
Galab Donev – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Donev is no stranger to the highest state administration: he served as Acting Prime Minister of Bulgaria in two consecutive governments (2022-2023) and most recently as Chief of Staff to President Radev (2023-2026). A lawyer and finance expert with two master’s degrees, he has also been Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Policy in three cabinets. His appointment signals continuity and fiscal expertise.
Ivan Demerdzhiev – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior (see detailed profile below).
Atanas Pekanov – Deputy Prime Minister responsible for EU funds. Pekanov, a trained economist with a PhD from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and a master’s from University College London, he has worked at the European Central Bank and the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). Pekanov was a key figure in four caretaker governments under Radev, leading negotiations on Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and overseeing the first €1.3 billion payment request. He is also a lecturer at WU Wien and a former Fulbright scholar at Harvard.
Ivo Hristov – Deputy Prime Minister. Born in Istanbul in 1970, Petrov graduated from the Athene Royal in Brussels before serving in the Bulgarian People’s Army (1988–1990), where he was discharged as a reserve officer. He earned his law degree from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 1994. He worked as a journalist for RFI‑Bulgaria, NTV, and BNT, and participated in the creation of BBT, L’EUROPEO magazine, and A‑specto magazine. He has published in “Tema” magazine and “Sega” newspaper. In 2009, he initiated the political association Solidarna Bulgaria. He is also a noted translator of novels by Romain Gary, Marguerite Duras, Tonino Benacista, and Philip Dzhiyan. From 2017 to 2019, he served as Chief of Staff to President Radev. Between 2019 and 2024, he was a member of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament, elected from the BSP list. He actively participated in Radev’s 2021 re‑election campaign. Married, he speaks French, English, Russian, and Spanish.
Foreign Minister – a career diplomat with a pro‑European profile
Velislava Petrova‑Chamova takes over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister under two administrations, where she handled three critical dossiers: North Macedonia, Bulgaria’s Schengen application, and OECD accession. Petrova was twice nominated for ministerial posts by “There Is Such a People” (TISP) – first for Health (2021), then for Education (2021) – and was proposed as Bulgarian European Commissioner in 2024. She holds a degree in Microbiology from the University of Bristol and pursued doctoral research at Cambridge. Her background in development cooperation and global health, including a role as Chief Program Director of the Brussels‑based Center for Future Generations, makes her an unconventional but highly networked choice.
Key ministerial appointments: old names in new places, and fresh faces
Defense remains with Dimitar Stoyanov, who returns to a portfolio he held in several caretaker governments. During his previous tenures, he oversaw continued military support for Ukraine despite domestic political controversy, and advanced major defense projects, including the procurement of armored vehicles from the United States. Stoyanov is regarded as a steady hand in security policy, closely aligned with Radev’s vision for the armed forces.
Ivan Demerdzhiev takes on the dual role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. One of the closest figures to Radev, Demerdzhiev has served as both justice and interior minister in previous caretaker governments. He is widely seen as the second most powerful figure in the new cabinet, with a reputation for tough administrative control and judicial‑security coordination.
Economy, Investments, and Industry – a significant shift from earlier speculation. Alexander Pulev, previously expected to return as Innovation Minister, will instead lead the economy portfolio. Pulev held the same post in two caretaker governments and is regarded as a stable hand in economic policy. He has extensive experience in investment management and industrial strategy, making him a key figure in Radev’s plan to boost competitiveness and attract foreign capital.
Innovation and Digital Transformation – Ivan Vassilev, the former Sofia deputy mayor who oversaw finance and healthcare, lands here rather than in Finance as some had guessed. He left Vasil Terziev’s administration in 2025 after a tenure marked by digitalisation projects and budget discipline. His new role will focus on Bulgaria’s technological upgrade and the absorption of EU innovation funds.
Regional Development and Public Works – Ivan Shishkov, an architect by training, takes this portfolio. During his time in caretaker governments, he was credited with completing the gas interconnection with Greece, which helped secure additional Azerbaijani gas after Russian supplies were disrupted. Shishkov is known for delivering infrastructure projects under tight deadlines and will now oversee Bulgaria’s regional development, construction, and connectivity.
Environment and Water – Rositsa Karamfilova‑Blagova, retains her expected post. She previously served in caretaker governments and later became an environmental adviser to Radev before taking over the Executive Environment Agency. Her expertise covers water management, climate adaptation, and EU environmental law, and she will be responsible for Bulgaria’s green transition.
Transport and Communications – a name that did not appear in most earlier lists: Georgi Peev. A long‑time director of the State Enterprise “Air Traffic Control,” Peev holds a master’s degree in engineering in “Operation of Electronic Instrumentation Aviation Equipment” and has decades of experience in civil aviation and air traffic management. He has served on governing bodies of international aviation organizations. His appointment signals a focus on modernising transport infrastructure and air safety.
Agriculture – Plamen Abrovski, a lawyer by training, finally gets the post he was first nominated for in 2021 by TISP. Abrovski spent five years in Bulgaria’s permanent representation to the EU, working on direct payments, rural development, and state aid. He was Secretary General of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives and had been an agricultural policy expert for TISP. He briefly chaired the parliamentary agriculture committee and later advised former Minister Georgi Tahov.
Tourism – Ilin Dimitrov, who was already in earlier speculation. He has already served as acting tourism minister and has long experience in the tourism industry, supported by academic work in business administration and tourism management. His priority will be to boost year‑round tourism and strengthen Bulgaria’s image as a safe destination.
Culture – a surprise: Evtim Miloshev, best known as a television producer and former member of Slavi Trifonov’s “Ku‑ku” team. Miloshev has a 20‑year career in media, from reporter to editor to producer, co‑founding Dream Team Productions and Dream Team Films. He worked on formats such as “Survivor,” “Stolichani v pove,” and “Dyavolskoto garlo.” Some had expected Naiden Todorov to stay on, but Radev opted for a media outsider. Affiliated, as many others in this cabinet, with Slavi Trifonov’s “There Is Such a People” party (TISP).
Youth and Sports – Encho Keryazov, a world‑renowned circus acrobat and tightrope walker. Born in Elhovo, Keryazov began acrobatics at six, became a master of sports, and toured across Europe. He received the “Silver Clown” at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival and was inducted into the World Acrobatic Society’s Hall of Legends. He has also served as deputy mayor of Yambol municipality since 2019 and runs a foundation supporting talented Bulgarian children.
Justice, social policy, education, health, and energy: the remaining portfolios
The justice portfolio, one of the most politically sensitive, goes to Nikolay Naydenov. At 51, he brings over 20 years of strategic experience in state institutions, social reforms, and international law. Between 2023 and 2024, he was Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, directly managing European funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the Human Resources Development Program, while coordinating anti‑corruption activities. He has served as Secretary General of the Commission for Combating Corruption, Secretary General of the Supreme Judicial Council, and Head of a Department in the Council of Ministers’ administration. Naydenov represented Bulgaria before UN and Council of Europe bodies and was elected Vice‑Chairman of the Governmental Committee on the European Social Charter in Strasbourg. He holds a Master’s in Law and International Relations from Sofia University and is a practicing lawyer focused on European projects.
For Labor and Social Policy, Radev has nominated Natalia Efremova, an insider with deep European funds expertise. She holds a law degree from Sofia University and a master’s in economics from Veliko Tarnovo University. From 2003 to 2008, she was Director of the “Program and Project Management” Directorate at the Ministry of Health. She then moved to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, where she served as Deputy Director General of the Directorate General “European Funds, International Projects and Programs” (2009–2012) and later as Director General from 2016 onward. Efremova was Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy from August 2022 to June 2023, returned as Deputy Director General, and in 2025 again became Deputy Minister – this time in the caretaker government of Andrey Gyurov. In that role, she coordinated EU funds, international programs, and policies on unemployment protection, labor market mobility, labor law, occupational safety, and social security.
The Ministry of Education and Science will be led by Prof. Georgi Alexandrov Valchev, the rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” elected in November 2023. A cultural studies and history scholar, he was Deputy Rector for Academic Affairs (2015–2023), Head of the Department of History and Theory of Culture (2011–2019), and Scientific Secretary of the Faculty of Philosophy. He created and leads the master’s program “Management and Socialization of Cultural Heritage.” His publications include History and Its Public Uses, Zahariy Stoyanov and the Symbolic Capital of the Bulgarian Revival, and Foreigners in Bulgarian Post‑Liberation Culture. Prof. Valchev holds a Master’s in History and Philosophy from Sofia University, earned his doctorate in 1998, and became a professor in 2023. He speaks French and Russian.
In health, a deputy minister is promoted: Katya Ivkova becomes Minister of Health. She holds a Master’s in International Relations from the University of National and World Economy and has long‑term expertise in the Ministry of Health’s international cooperation and European policies. She was Head of the “International Activities” Department (2015–2017) and later Director of European Coordination and International Cooperation. In February 2023, she was appointed Deputy Minister of Health in Galab Donev’s caretaker government, focusing on European health policies and international partnerships.
Finally, the energy portfolio sees a familiar face return: Iva Ventsislavova Petrova has been nominated as Minister of Energy. She began her professional career in 2000 at the Ministry of Energy, rising to Director of “Energy Markets and Restructuring” in 2008. From February 2009 to June 2010, she was Director of “Projects and Investments” at the Bulgarian Energy Holding. She has also worked in the private sector as a partner in a management consulting company for energy and utility firms in the region. Since September 2021, she has served again as Deputy Minister of Energy, responsible for markets, strategy, reforms, and investments under the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan – including renewable integration, energy efficiency, infrastructure, and market liberalization. She also manages Bulgaria’s participation in EU decision‑making and leads Working Group 14 “Energy.” Since 2000, she has been a part‑time assistant at Sofia University’s Faculty of Economics, teaching management and marketing of energy companies. Petrova holds a master’s in Business Management from Sofia University, completed postgraduate training at the University of Birmingham, and has specializations in Hungary, Japan, and Belgium. She speaks fluent English and Italian.
What changed from the earlier speculation?
Several names that once circulated did not make the final cut: Hristo Alexiev (Transport), Lazar Lazarov (Social Ministry), Konstantin Prodanov (Economy), Dimitar Zdravkov (Education), Yavor Gechev (Agriculture), Naiden Todorov (Culture), and sports figures Petar Stoychev or Vladimir Nikolov. The finance portfolio, widely expected to go to Ivan Vassilev, instead went to Galab Donev. Alexander Pulev moved from Innovation to Economy, while Vassilev took Innovation.
Further reading: Unofficial List Reveals the Most Likely Names in Radev’s Future Government
Next steps
Parliament is expected to vote on the proposed cabinet in the coming days. If approved, the new administration will take its oath and assume power from the caretaker government – potentially ending years of political instability and beginning a full four‑year term under Prime Minister Rumen Radev.