There is no fatal delay in preparatory work for Bulgaria’s EU Presidency next year. Some delay though is seen in the cultural event program and in the adoption of a communications strategy, Deniza Slateva,Deputy Prime Minister for the Preparation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018 said in an interview for the bTV channel. The Deputy Prime Minister vowed that there would be transparent procedures in public procurement related to the Presidency.

Deniza Slateva explained that the caretaker government had decided not to appoint a new Bulgarian EU commissioner in the tense political situation right now. According to her, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker showed understanding. If however a regular government is not formed after the elections, then the caretaker one will single out a commissioner and will negotiate for an influential portfolio, Slateva specified.

The new commissioner will be named to replace Kristalina Georgieva who left the Commission to take a job in the World Bank, so for the time being Bulgaria has no EU commissioner in place.