Emil Dechev: Bulgaria’s Proposed Acting Minister of Justice

Sofia, Bulgaria – Emil Dechev is poised to become Bulgaria’s acting Minister of Justice as part of the caretaker cabinet led by Andrey Gyurov. The appointment comes ahead of early parliamentary elections, with the proposed lineup submitted to President Iliana Yotova by Thursday, February 19, 2026, according to reports from Novinite and Fakti.bg.

Background and Previous Roles

Dechev previously served as a deputy minister during the government of Kiril Petkov. His potential appointment to lead the Justice Ministry has been widely reported by Bulgarian news outlets, including Fakti.bg and Novinite.

Recent Commentary and Involvement

In April 2024, Dechev commented on issues of corruption and potential political interference within the justice system, specifically referencing a meeting involving Zhivko Kotsev, then Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Acting Chief Prosecutor Sarafov. He expressed concerns about the timing of actions taken against the head of the Customs Agency, suggesting it occurred shortly before elections and after a two-year monitoring period of alleged smuggling activities. Fakti.bg reported on these statements.

Caretaker Government Context

The formation of this caretaker government follows a period of political transition in Bulgaria, leading up to the anticipated early parliamentary elections. Other key appointments within the proposed cabinet include Rumyana Bachvarova as Deputy Prime Minister, Emil Ganchev for the Interior Ministry, and Boyko Noev for the Ministry of Defense. The choices for the Foreign and Economy Ministries remain between two candidates each, as of February 17, 2026.