Parliament of the United Kingdom

Lawmakers in Bulgaria's Parliament decided not to discuss an update of the 2014 state budget.

As their emergency session held Monday kicked off, MPs voted that the motion initially proposed by the Council of Ministers would not be included into the agenda.

PASOK, the junior coalition partner, on Friday requested a debate and vote in Parliament's summer session on a much-delayed bill aimed at curbing racist attacks.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Monday said talks between him and President Traian Basescu at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace was political propaganda for the chief of state, and that in his opinion the President can do what he pleases in relation to the cut in the social security contributions (CAS).

Parliamentary speaker Evangelos Meimarakis and the House’s deputy speakers are due to meet at 2.30 p.m. to decide whether MPs should debate and vote on a referendum on the privatisation of the Public Power Corporation (PPC).

Parliament narrowly approved on Wednesday the sale of 30 percent of PPC but immediately afterwards opposition parties submitted proposals for a referendum.

Outspoken Independent Greeks MP Rachil Makri claimed Friday that the coalition is trying to have her barred from Parliament so she cannot reveal information about scandals involving the Public Power Corporation (PPC) when a bill allowing the company to be privatized is discussed in the House.

A bill outlining the part-privatization of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) was approved at the committee level in Parliament on Friday with coalition MPs, from New Democracy and PASOK, voting in favor and opposition committee members rejecting the draft.

German Social-Democrat Martin Schulz was elected on Tuesday to head the European Parliament in the first session since elections in May.
      
Schulz, outgoing president of the last European Parliament, won 409 votes for and 314 against or blank ballots, in a session that was marred by eurosceptic opposition.
      

Chamber of Deputies Chairman Valeriu Zgonea on Tuesday announced an extraordinary session of this legislative body early in July.

At a joint meeting on Monday, the standing bureaus of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate approved a proposal put forth by Senate Chairman Calin Popescu-Tariceanu that Parliament adopt a joint declaration calling on President Traian Basescu for honorary resignation.

BELGRADE - Serbia's Minister of Culture and Information Ivan Tasovac on Wednesday backed the establishment of a parliamentary television channel that would contribute to keeping the citizens well-informed, but noted that the technical capabilities and the funding required are in doubt.