Bulgaria approves new leader

Bulgarian lawmakers voted 120-97 in favor of candidate Plamen Oresharski (center) to become the country's new prime minister on Wednesday. The 53-year-old non-partisan politicians formerly served as the finance minister.

Prior to receiving parliamentary approval, Oresharski urged lawmakers to lead the country to recovery.

"The country is in a deep institutional crisis, continuing economic depression and worsening disintegration of society," Oreshanski said. "[Bulgaria needs] maximum public consensus on the necessary urgent measures for stabilization, economic recovery, strengthening of the institutions and more solidarity in a society shaken by despair and lack of prospects."

The new government of technocrats comprised of the Socialist Party and mainly ethnic Turkish party, the Movement for Rights and Freedom, won approval despite failing to garner enough votes in the May 12 elections.

Former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's center-right party, Citizens for European Bulgaria (GERB), won more votes, but failed to form a coalition with other parties reluctant to cooperate with the conservative party.

"People want a new, working government that will give a clear perspective for the country, the economy and the life of every Bulgarian," Socialist leader Sergei Stanishev told parliament while introducing the new cabinet.

In February, public protests over substandard living conditions and corruption forced Borisov and GERB to resign from their posts.

Since joining the EU six years ago, Bulgaria has remained the bloc's poorest member. The average wages amount to an estimated 400 euros a month ($524). Over 20 percent of the country's population lives below the poverty line.

kms/dr (AP, AFP, Reuters)