Rumyana Bachvarova

Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB, declared that his party would not support the formation of a government for a second mandate. This pronouncement effectively closes the door on any potential negotiations with "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) coalition, signaling an end to their attempts to form a new government together.

"Today I handed the copies of my letters of credence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel to Mr Meron Ruben, Chief of the State Protocol, during which we discussed the forthcoming ceremony on the official service of credentials."

"I have been working for many years on the inter-state relations between Bulgaria and Israel, the preparation of the joint meetings with the Israeli government, which have been three, so Israel is a country that has a positive attitude towards Bulgaria, so we have to further develop our relations."

''I have already chosen the head of Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Mladen Marinov as Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry'', said the new Interior Minister Valentin Radev in an interview for bTV.

Caretaker Interior Minister Plamen Uzunov has denied demanding that his institution´s Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov resign.

Earlier, bTV broadcaster said citing its own sources that Uzunov had asked Kostov to step down.

The government is considering how to alleviate traffic along Danube Bridge near Vidin since kilometre-long queues keep on forming constantly.

On Saturday, there was a 12-km queue and a ban on vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes had to be introduced along the road Botevgrad - Vidin due to difficulties in the operation of the border cross checkpoint.

In relation to the information about upcoming protests of Greek farmers that would block the border with Greece, the Interior Ministry has remained in constant touch with Greek authorities, announced the press centre of the Interior Ministry.

Outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has sent an official letter to her Greek counterpart.

Outgoing Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said on Sunday she had "no information" when asked to comment on news that Turkish police had gracked down on a massive people smuggling ring.

Bulgaria's outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said as many as 3000 police officers will be appointed by the end of the year as part of government plans to crack down on petty crime.

Former police and military officers' ranks will be used to recruit the staff, she has told the Bulgarian National Television.

The number of migrants who crossed into Bulgaria fell by more than 40% last year compared to 2015, outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said.

For December alone, there is a decrease by 60%, Focus News Agency quotes her as adding before a cabinet meeting.