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 a.m. During this initial sitting, the President is expected to address the newly elected Members of Parliament.
According to constitutional procedure, the session will commence with the oldest MP present, identified as Rumen Milanov of Progressive Bulgaria. Following the opening, the MPs will take an oath, swearing allegiance to the Constitution and the laws of Bulgaria, pledging to act in the interests of the people. After the oath is administered, the official documents 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 make statements during the inaugural sitting. This will be followed by the election of the National Assembly Chair, who will assume the role of chairing the session and delivering an address. The MPs will also elect the Deputy Chairs.
The newly elected Chair will then announce the formation and leadership of the parliamentary groups. The distribution of seats in 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.
Other groups include GERB–UDF with 39 seats, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria with 37, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms with 21, and Vazrazhdane with 12. The CEC data indicates that the newly elected parliament comprises 57 women and 183 men.
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It will be interesting to see the proceedings of the first session.