Former Bulgarian Foreign Minister Criticizes Appointment of Glavchev as Acting Foreign Minister

Ivaylo Kalfin, a former Bulgarian foreign minister, has criticized the appointment of Dimitar Glavchev as the acting foreign minister, comparing it to appointing the head of the football union to lead the National Audit Office.

Kalfin's comments were in response to a decree by President Rumen Radev, which appointed the acting Prime Minister Glavchev as the acting foreign minister as well.

The political scientist Kaloyan Metodiev also commented on the situation, stating that the posts of Patriarch and Ombudsman are also currently vacant, and characterizing the situation as 'Drive all the way!' Kalfin's criticism implies that the appointment of Glavchev, who lacks extensive foreign policy experience, is viewed as a questionable decision by some observers in Bulgaria.

Glavchev's appointment as both acting prime minister and foreign minister has happened only a few times in Bulgaria's recent history. The last time the two roles were combined was in 2023 by Marin Raykov, who was a career diplomat, unlike Glavchev. President Radev had characterized Glavchev's proposal as 'avant garde' and was due to meet with him to discuss the changes, but the meeting did not take place.

The appointment also comes amid the resignation of Meglena Plugchieva, the foreign policy advisor to Acting Prime Minister Glavchev. Plugchieva's departure has added an element of intrigue to the unfolding political landscape in Bulgaria. While Plugchieva's tenure was marked by her dedication to the country's diplomatic interests, the reasons behind her resignation remain unclear.

Why this matters: The appointment of Glavchev as both acting prime minister and foreign minister has raised concerns among some political figures in Bulgaria. The criticism emphasizes the significance of having experienced and qualified individuals in key government positions, especially in the realm of foreign affairs.

The caretaker government has made several other changes, including the dismissal of the Interior Ministry chief secretary, Zhivko Kotsev, who was charged with alleged participation in an organized crime group. Experts have commented that combining the roles of prime minister and foreign minister could be a solution for organizing the vote abroad, but the main work will be done by a special group led by the permanent secretary of the ministry and the ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Key Takeaways

• Former Bulgarian FM Kalfin criticized Glavchev's appointment as acting FM.
• Metodiev said the posts of Patriarch and Ombudsman are also vacant.
• Glavchev's dual role as acting PM and FM is rare in Bulgaria.
• Foreign policy advisor Plugchieva resigned amid the government shakeup.
• Experts say Glavchev's dual role could help organize voting abroad.