National Assembly

The Bulgarian head of state urged political parties to have a responsible and constructive attitude at the National Assembly, and to unite on topics important to society. President Rumen Radev started consultations for handing the mandate to form a government, the press secretariat of the head of state announced, quoted by Focus News Agency.

''We all are to be winners if until 2018, when Bulgaria would hold the EU presidency, all parties focus on the national consensus'', Vice President Iliana Iotova has said, BNR reported.  

According to her, a large coalition and a very serious opposition are emerging in the National Assembly, and his was a prerequisite for a successful mandate.

Former DS leader and member of the National Assembly Bojan Pajtic has told a Belgrade daily that he does not intend to leave this opposition party.

Former DS leader and member of the National Assembly Bojan Pajtic has told a Belgrade daily that he does not intend to leave this opposition party.

Tomorrow, we will have the first draft version of the coalition agreement, we will continue with negotiations. This is what Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) MP Delyan Dobrev told journalists at the National Assembly after the party's meeting with United Patriots on forming a government, FOCUS News Agency reported.

Tomorrow, April 20 at 10:30 Bulgarian time, Ombudsman Maya Manolova and Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB), will introduce at the National Assembly registry a package of legislative amendments which to stop the so-called "modern slavery" - non-payment of salaries, insurance, benefits, outstanding social commitments, and etc.

With 157 votes in favour, zero against and 81 abstaining, Dimitar Glavchev from GERB was elected as President of the National Assembly, BNR reported.

Addressing parliament Glavchev voiced hopes that the keyword in the work of the new parliament would be unity.

The newly elected 44th parliament will have today its initial session. The National Assembly is summoned with a decree of President Rumen Radev and the eldest MP present will unveil it, following the Constitution. This will be the journalist Toma Tomov from the socialists, elected in Blagoevgrad.

A total of 5 political forces enter this parliament:

GERB - 95 MPs

During a meeting today, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) formed their parliamentary group. It will be called "BSP for Bulgaria" and its chairman will be the BSP leader Kornelia Ninova, announced BGNES.

The Bulgarian Government Wednesday approved the 2016 Annual Report on the Status of Defence and the Armed Forces and will submit it to Parliament for debate and approval, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Stefan Yanev аnnounced.