officially took over from his predecessor Georgi Parvanov on 22 January 2012. Among his priorities are administrative reforms, energy efficiency and energy independence and removing of ambassadors of Bulgaria in foreign countries who have served as secret agents during the Communist regime. As a result of the 2013 Bulgarian protests against monopoly and high electricity prices, the conservative government of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov tendered its resignation on 20 February 2013. President Plevneliev, acting in accordance with the constitution, offered a mandate to form a new government within the term of the current Parliament to GERB, BSP and DPS but after each of them declined, Plevneliev appointed a caretaker government on 13 March 2013, with Marin Raykov, the Bulgarian ambassador in Paris as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2013, due to the prolonged protests against the involvement of oligarchy in politics and the government, Plevneliev organised the 'Dialogue with citizens' initiative, which involved three debates, focused on market economy, the judicial system and media freedom. Plevneliev advocates for closer relations between Bulgaria and the People's Republic of China. Plevneliev has frequently criticized the immigration policy in the UK set by the former Prime Minister, David Cameron. By appointing the Bliznashki Government on 6 August 2014, Plevneliev has become the first President of Bulgaria to appoint more than one caretaker government. Controversies In January 2014 the tax authorities launched an investigation on President Rosen Plevneliev and his relatives. This action was perceived as politically motivated assault by the Oresharski Government. Other reformist members of the Boyko Borisov government were also subject to such investigations. Honours Foreign honours : Honor of Nation Order : Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross : Grand Order of King Tomislav : Grand Cross (Special Class) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic : Order for Exceptional Merits : Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit : Order of St. George References Bibliography External links Official site of the Presidency Video for President candidacy , YouTube |- 1964 births Bulgarian businesspeople Bulgarian engineers Eastern Orthodox Christians from Bulgaria GERB politicians Government ministers of Bulgaria Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Knights Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of