The 52nd National Assembly of Bulgaria is scheduled to convene for its inaugural sitting on April 30. President Iliana Iotova issued a decree on April 28, calling the newly elected 240-seat parliament to its first session at 10 am on Thursday. During this sitting, the President is expected to address the newly elected Members of Parliament.
According to constitutional procedure, the sitting will be formally opened by the most senior MP present, which is Rumen Milanov of Progressive Bulgaria, as per the parliament’s website. Following the opening, the MPs will take an oath, swearing to uphold the Constitution and laws of Bulgaria and act in the interest of the people. After the oath, official documentation will be signed, and the Bulgarian and European national anthems will be played in the plenary chamber.
Traditionally, the parties and coalitions represented in the National Assembly will deliver statements during the inaugural sitting. This will be followed by the election of the Chair of the National Assembly, who will subsequently address the assembly and preside over the proceedings. The MPs will also elect the Deputy Chairs.
The Chair will then announce the formation and leadership of the parliamentary groups. The seat distribution for the 52nd National Assembly was announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on April 23, following the early parliamentary elections held on April 19. Progressive Bulgaria secured 131 seats in the 240-member parliament, while GERB–UDF received 39, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria obtained 37, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms was allotted 21, and Vazrazhdane received 12.
The CEC’s records indicate that the newly elected parliament comprises 57 women and 183 men.
Topics: #sitting #elected #parliament
