site.btaAdoption of Health Reform Legislation, Revisions to Forestry Act Stalled by Lack of Quorum in Parliament

Adoption of Health Reform Legislation, Revisions to Forestry Act Stalled by Lack of Quorum in
Parliament

Sofia, June 5 (BTA) - A meeting of Parliament that was due to
adopt details of the health reform legislation and changes to
the Forestry Act, failed due to lack of quorum in the debating
chamber on Friday. Only 113 deputies attended, which was eight
short of the number required to have a legitimate sitting.

The next sitting is due June 10.

The agenda for the day included conclusive voting of revisions
to the Health Insurance Act and debates in principle on
revisions to the Forestry Act.

The ruling GERB blamed the lack of quorum on the Bulgarian
Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
(MRF).

Tsveta Karayancheva (GERB) said that the legislature should have
adopted the changes to the Forestry Act to preclude an
extension of an effective moratorium on the export of raw
timber. The three-month moratorium was set in place as a measure
against illegal lumbering and expires on June 9. The Patriotic
Front wants it extended by another three months.

Aliosman Imamov of MRF denied a conspiracy by his party to
boycott the Forestry Act.