Sun, Nov 22 2009

Boiko Borissov's Cabinet

Fri, Jul 31 2009 09:56 CET byThe Sofia Echo staff 2914 Views
Boiko Borissov's Cabinet

Photo: Tsvetelina Angelova

Prime Minister Boiko Borissov’s Cabinet is new in more than one way, its message of change accompanied by a slew of new faces. The Sofia Echo takes a look at the new Bulgarian Government.

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Bozhidar Dimitrov (63) – Minister without portfolio

Dimitrov is no stranger to stirring controversy and his appointment rankled rightist parties, who objected his nomination because of reports that he had worked with communist-era state security.

Vezhdi Rashidov (58) – Culture Minister

Rashidov has won wide acclaim, both at home and abroad, for his work as a sculptor and was part of an advisory council on cultural affairs to former president Petar Stoyanov.

Svilen Neikov (44) – Sports Minister

He is best known as the head coach of the national rowing team and spouse of Roumyana Neikova, who won Bulgaria’s sole gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Bozhidar Nanev (46) – Healthcare Minister

Nanev said he would work to reform the existing healthcare insurance model, but said that sweeping change would take time to accomplish.

Nona Karadjova (49) – Environment and Water Affairs Minister

She was the head of the strategy and EU integration directorate at the ministry under two previous governments and was heavily involved in EU accession negotiations on chapter Environment

Miroslav Naidenov (40) – Agriculture and Food Industry Minister

Naidenov is a veterinary doctor and the former head of Bulgaria’s national veterinary service, most recently the head of the Sofia municipal veterinary firm.

Yordanka Fandukova (47) – Education, Youth and Science Minister

She will take over one of the most problematic portfolios, less than two years after large teacher strikes and with public opinion in favour of continued reforms.

Totyu Mladenov (45) – Labour and Social Policy Minister

Mladenov is known best for his work in the Podkrepa labour union and as head of the Chief Labour Inspectorate in 2002/07

Rossen Plevneliev (45) – Regional Development Minister

He established his first company in 1990, working as a subcontractor for German’s Lindner, and set up Lindner Bulgaria in 1998.

Alexander Tsvetkov (41) – Transport, IT and Communications Minister

Tsvetkov’s area of expertise is road construction and he is expected to be involved in fulfilling Borissov’s campaign promise to step up work on much-delayed highways

Nikolai Mladenov (37) – Defence Minister

Mladenov started his political career with the Union of Democratic Forces, serving as party spokesperson in 2002/04 and deputy leader in 2004/05.

Roumyana Zheleva (40) – Foreign Minister

Zheleva is widely expected to be nominated by Borissov as Bulgaria’s next European Commissioner.

Margarita Popova (53) – Justice Minister

In September 2008, she was appointed to head the special unit with the Supreme Prosecution of Cassation that targeted European Union funds fraud, whose work was praised by the EC in its latest report

Traicho Traikov (39) – Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister

Traikov was the most unexpected pick in Borissov’s Cabinet line-up and its biggest unknown.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov (44) – Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister

Tsvetanov is often described as Borissov’s most trusted lieutenant. He joined the Interior Ministry in 1987 and was one of Borissov’s deputies when Borissov was chief secretary of the ministry.

Simeon Dyankov (39) – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

Dyankov returns to Bulgaria after 14 years with the World Bank, where he rose through the ranks to chief economist with the finance and private sector vice-presidency.

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