site.btaSocialists, MRF Boycot Parliament's Sitting Wednesday

November 4 (BTA) - Parliament adjourned on Wednesday after it failed to reach quorum. MPs from the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) did not register for the sitting as they have done consistently during the autumn session.

Deputy National Assembly Chair Kristian Vigenin (BSP) told a news briefing that their position not to register and secure the quorum is consistent and they do not intend to change it.

GERB and the United Patriots of the ruling coalition called "irresponsible" the behaviour of MRF and BSP. GERB floor leader Daniela Daritkova said that the quorum was the responsibility of the ruling majority and until now it had managed to secure it but now there are MPs with COVID from all parliamentary groups and such behaviour cannot be defined as normal political behaviour of politicians who hope to run the country after the upcoming general elections.

Iskren Vesselinov, co-floor leader of the United Patriots, said that if the Bulgarian Socialist Party are Bulgarians and think about their compatriots, they should return to the debating chamber and participate in the adoption of the state budget for 2021.

According to Deputy Parliament Chair Valeri Simeonov, MRF and BSP have shown their face of hypocritical politicians.

Independent MP Krassimir Yankov said MPs who split from the BSP will discuss the situation and decide whether they will register for parliamentary sittings.

The MPs were expected Wednesday to debate on first reading amendments to the Public Finances Act and the VAT Act and on second reading changes to the Child Protection Act and a draft resolution for the adoption of procedural rules for the presentation and public disclosure of the documents of the candidate for chairman of the Economic and Social Council.

National Assembly Chair Tsveta Karayancheva scheduled the next parliamentary sitting for Thursday. RI/PP