25 JULY 2001
Bulgaria’s ex-king Simeon II was sworn in as the country’s prime minister yesterday, becoming the first former monarch to return to power in post-Communist eastern Europe. Using the name Simeon Saxe-Coburg, the successful businessman, who went into exile from his fatherland in 1946, vowed to bring his country into NATO and the European Union.

Simeon took the oath in the presence of Orthodox Patriarch Maxim, made the sign of the cross and kissed a silver crucifix. “I swear, in the name of the republic of Bulgaria, to respect the constitution and the laws of the country and, in all my actions, to be governed by the interests of the people,” he proclaimed. Addressing the country’s deputies in Sofia, the new prime minister called Bulgaria’s bid to join the 15-member EU a “vital national aim.”

“The whole aim of my life and my motive for taking on this great responsibility,” he continued, “is so that Bulgaria may take its place in a united Europe.” But he also warned his fellow politicians that their country had to meet Europe’s “political and economic criteria.”

The former king’s other objectives include “good relations and dialogue with the Balkans countries and Russia”; increasing investment and development of business; strengthening Bulgaria’s potential in agriculture and tourism; and fighting corruption.

Simeon was voted in as prime minister by 141 votes to 50, with 46 abstentions. He has formed a cabinet comprising of 16 members, from his party, the National Movement of Simeon II and the Turkish minority party, Movement for Rights and Freedoms, with whom he signed an accord last week.

The youngest member of the cabinet is 31-year-old London banker Nikolai Vasilev, the deputy prime minister and economy minister.