Former king forms new Bulgarian government

Bulgaria's prime minister designate, former King Simeon II, has announced the composition of his future government

Bulgaria's prime minister designate, former King Simeon II, has announced the composition of his future government. Simeon is the firstformer monarch to regain political power in post-communist eastern Europe. Parliament is due to approve Simeon's government on Tuesday.

Nikolai Vassilev, a 31-year-old emerging markets analyst, who has worked at several London-based banks, was named as deputy prime minister and economy minister in the government.

Milen Velchev, 35, a specialist in restructuring external debt who has worked for Merrill Lynch in London, was given the post of finance minister.

Most of the ministers are little known officials from the National Movement for Simeon II which won a resounding victory in a June 17 general election. Like the 64-year-old ex-monarch, they have little experience in politics.

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His government is the first in the Balkan state of eight million people bordering troubled Macedonia which includes officials from an ethnic Turk party.