Kiril Petkov (politician)
Kiril Petkov | |
|---|---|
| Co-Leader of We Continue the Change | |
| Assumed office 19 September 2021 Serving with Asen Vasilev | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Minister of Economy | |
| In office 12 May 2021 – 16 September 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Yanev |
| Preceded by | Lachezar Ivanov |
| Succeeded by | Daniela Vezieva |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kiril Petkov Petkov 17 April 1980 Plovdiv, Bulgaria |
| Citizenship |
|
| Political party | We Continue the Change |
| Spouse(s) | Linda McKenzie (m. 2000) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
Kiril Petkov Petkov (Bulgarian: Кирил Петков Петков; born 17 April 1980) is a Bulgarian politician, economist, and entrepreneur who served as caretaker Minister of Economy from 12 May 2021, to 16 September 2021. He is the co-leader of We Continue the Change, a political party he co-founded with Asen Vasilev.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Petkov was born on 17 April 1980, in Plovdiv. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University, where he was ranked in the top 10% of his class.[2] One of his lecturers was Michael Porter, with whom he specialized in the development of cluster strategies.[1] Petkov is one of the founders of the Center for Economic Strategies and Competitiveness at Sofia University, affiliated with Harvard University, where he has taught classes in economic development and microeconomics of competitiveness.[1]
Career[edit]
From 2001 to 2005, Petkov worked for the Canadian food company McCain Foods as a corporate development manager.[1] Since 2007, he has been developing projects in the field of high value-added innovation, and his company ProViotik holds several patents in biotechnology in the United States.[1]
From 12 May to 16 September 2021, he served as Minister of Economy in the caretaker government of Stefan Yanev.[1]
On 19 September 2021, together with Asen Vasilev, he presented his political project We Continue the Change, an anti-corruption party seeking to be the uniting force that could bring all the other like-minded parties together to form a government.[3]
Controversies[edit]
On 27 October 2021, the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria retroactively overturned the decree appointing Petkov as Minister of Economy due to his status as a dual citizen, as the Constitution of Bulgaria states that ministers must only be Bulgarian citizens.[4] Although this position was retracted from him, all of his actions done in the role have not been nullified.[4] Political opponents of Petkov have called for action to be taken on this, namely Lozan Panov, a presidential candidate and chairman of the Supreme Court of Cassation of Bulgaria.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Президентът Радев обяви служебното правителство - вижте кои са министрите - По света и у нас - БНТ Новини". Bulgarian National Television (in Bulgarian). 11 May 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "Служебният министър на икономиката Кирил Петков бе отличен сред Достойните българи". 24 Chasa (in Bulgarian). 11 May 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Stoyanov, Mihail (19 September 2021). "Политическото напрежение: след заплахи шефът на приходната агенция вече е с охрана". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ a b Drumeva, Ina (27 October 2021). "Конституционният съд отмени указа, с който Кирил Петков е назначен за министър". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ Georgieva, Svetlana (28 October 2021). "Антоний Тодоров: Конституционният съд се включи успешно в политическата борба". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 28 October 2021.