The 52nd session of the national assembly in Bulgaria convened on Thursday. Following a split within the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) coalition on Wednesday, six distinct parliamentary groups were established. The session commenced with the oath administration to the 240 lawmakers by 78-year-old Progressive Bulgaria MP Rumen Milanov, after which the national anthem and the anthem of Europe were played.
President Iliana Iotova addressed the members, emphasizing that a key function of the legislature must be the voting on the 2026 State budget. She urged Bulgaria to adopt a more assertive stance within the European Union, asserting that the nation’s perspective merits equal consideration among the 27 member states. Progressive Bulgaria MP Mihaela Dotsova was elected National Assembly Chair with support from her coalition, GERB-UDF, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), as other political forces abstained.
Subsequently, each of the six groups elected a Deputy Chair. In her address, Dotsova stated that the primary challenge facing the assembly is to restore best practices in Bulgarian lawmaking, advocating for a process based on debate rather than procedural formalism. Various party leaders subsequently outlined their opposition roles.
Petar Vitanov, representing Progressive Bulgaria, highlighted the passage of the State budget and addressing treasury issues as key priorities. Nadejda Iordanova, speaking for CC-DB, pledged support for measures strengthening the rule of law and preserving Bulgaria’s European course. Ayten Sabri of the MRF stated her party would support policies promoting citizen rights and economic stability.
Kostadin Kostadinov of Vazrazhdane declared his party would act as the “nation’s conscience.”
Topics: #national #assembly #bulgaria
The political maneuvering seems to have immediately fractured the governing coalition.
What are the implications of the split within the CC-DB coalition on the current legislative agenda?