'Smiley' New Bulgarian Health Minister Puzzles Journalists

The charming smile of the Bulgarian health minister nominee threw journalists into confusion, photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Health Minister nominee Prof. Anna-Maria Borisova has perplexed media by repeating “I will only smile” in answer to their burning questions.

Journalists caught up with Borisova during the 9th National Congress on Endocrinology that took place in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv on Thursday. (See below the transcript of her Q&A with the media.)

Borisova's presence at the Congress has been pointed out as the main reason for the government's decision to delay submitting her nomination to Parliament.

The delay in the vote for a new health minister triggered suspicions that Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov might change his mind and lay somebody else's bid on the table. Borisov, however, has firmly denied the speculation.

Borisova's nomination as new Health Minister was supposed to be voted on Wednesday by the Bulgarian Parliament.

However, the Co-Chair of the parliamentary group of the ruling GERB party, Iskra Fidosova informed Tuesday that the Parliament had not yet received the cabinet's nomination for a new

health minister and documentation for the discharge of Bozhidar Nanev, who resigned from the same post on March 30.

The Council of Ministers press center explained the delay was due to Borisova's personal request because she made prior commitments to attend the 9th National Congress on Endocrinology before learning about the nomination.

The parliamentary vote on her appointment is expected to be rescheduled for next week.

Borosova was far from verbose when answering to journalistic queries in Plovdiv as the transcript of her Q&A shows.

Q: Is it true that you have given up your new post?

A: I will only smile.

Q: Tell us, are you ready to take up this post?

A: I am smiling. Did you take a picture of my smile?

Q: Do you believe that this is a tough task, what a health minister should do?

A: I am only smiling.

Q: Don't you have an opinion on this issue?

A: I am not pretty, but I am charming for my age and enjoy smiling. You are very nice.

Q: Could you please sum up the latest data for osteoporosis and how serious the situation in Bulgaria is?

A: I am just smiling.

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