SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s newly appointed prime minister on Thursday reaffirmed that his country’s pro-Western orientation is “a core value” and a strategic commitment, as it prepares for April elections.

Speaking to the National Assembly after he and his ministers took the oath of office, Andrey Gyurov said that Bulgaria will support efforts to achieve a lasting and just peace in Ukraine. He said that the government would work closely with its allies in the European Union and NATO.

“Bulgaria belongs to the democratic states and will defend that position by being predictable, maintaining economic stability, and protecting the democratic order,” Gyurov said.

Gyurov, a 50-year-old economist, had served as deputy governor of the Bulgarian central bank since 2023. He was also a lawmaker and floor leader of the reformist “We Continue the Change” group in parliament.

His appointment came after the previous governing coalition, led by the center-right GERB party, resigned at the end of 2025, following nationwide protests sparked by public anger over corruption and perceived injustice.

The collapse helped pave the way for a new election — the eighth since April 2021 — which analysts expect could increase the number of seats held by nationalist and pro-Russia groups.

The new caretaker premier will be supported by a cabinet of experts in his main tasks of ensuring fair and transparent elections and restoring public trust in institutions, which has been eroded by political uncertainty.

Referring to reports of vote-buying and doubts about rigged election results, which have often accompanied voting in Bulgaria, Gyurov called for civic maturity and zero tolerance of violations. He urged Bulgarians to go to the polls on April 19 and “not allow their vote to be turned into a tool serving someone else’s interests”.