The government has officially defined the responsibilities of two deputy prime ministers who do not lead specific ministries. The roles of Ivo Hristov and Atanas Pekanov were established through amendments to the organizational rules of the Council of Ministers following a government decree.
Expanded Mandate for Ivo Hristov
The scope of Ivo Hristov’s authority has been expanded. In a previous interview, Hristov indicated that his focus would include tourism, sport, and culture, or more broadly, the field of human development based on UN terminology.
However, the finalized version of his portfolio is designated as “strategic development and policy coordination.” This formulation provides Hristov with a broader range of responsibilities that extend beyond specific sectors.
Continuity in European Fund Management
Atanas Pekanov has been assigned the management of European funds, a field with which he has extensive prior experience.
Pekanov has held the position of deputy prime minister for the management of European funds three times previously. This includes service in two caretaker cabinets under Stefan Yanev and two caretaker governments under Galab Donev.
Potential Implications and Next Steps
Given the broad nature of his mandate, Ivo Hristov could potentially oversee cross-departmental strategies that integrate multiple government policies.
The appointment of Atanas Pekanov is likely to provide continuity in the administration of EU funding, given his repeated tenure in similar roles across previous caretaker administrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the portfolios of the deputy prime ministers determined?
The roles were defined through changes made to the organizational rules of the Council of Ministers after the government adopted a corresponding decree.
What is the official designation of Ivo Hristov’s portfolio?
His portfolio is officially formulated as “strategic development and policy coordination.”
What is Atanas Pekanov’s history with European funds?
Pekanov has served as deputy prime minister for the management of European funds three times, spanning two caretaker cabinets of Stefan Yanev and two caretaker governments of Galab Donev.
Do you believe that broad “policy coordination” roles are more effective than sector-specific ministerial leadership?