site.btaParliament Chair Resigns, New Leader Takes Over

Sofia, November 17 (BTA) - National Assembly Chair Dimiter Glavchev resigned on Friday after political clashes between the powerholders and the opposition in Parliament earlier in the week. Glavchev's post was taken over by Tsveta Karayancheva (GERB), who was elected National Assembly Chair by a vote of 138-3, with 71 abstentions, and sworn in later on Friday.

Wednesday's clashes in the National Assembly which led to Glavchev's resignation started when Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova asked Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to come to Parliament to clarify his allegation of a few days ago that there are people in Parliament involved in drug trafficking. The majority turned down this motion and Ninova took the floor to read a declaration, but the National Assembly Chair ordered her out for insulting the MPs and the Prime Minister. When the Socialist MPs started shouting "Resign! Resign!" and banging on the desks, Glavchev suspended Anton Koutev (BSP for Bulgaria) for two sittings. Then the BSP deputies walked out and started to collect signatures for Glavchev's removal from office.

After resigning on Friday, Glavchev said he had not been pressured by Prime Minister Borissov to do so. Glavchev said he was considering leaving the National Assembly altogether because he "cannot sit in the same chamber with the BSP," but he was adamant that he had not violated the legislature's procedural rules.

After taking the oath of office, the new National Assembly Chair Tsveta Karayancheva thanked her parliamentary group, the ruling GERB, for the honour of nominating her to the post, and the whole Parliament for electing her.

GERB Floor Leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov said there should be no speculation about Glavchev's ouster, because Glavchev resigned in order to let the National Assembly work normally and allow both the incumbents and the opposition to make themselves heard. Tsvetanov said in a declaration that the GERB parliamentary group does not want to see the legislature discredited. He urged the MPs to substantiate any statements they make and to refrain from personal attacks.

BSP leader Ninova said: "Dimiter Glavchev's decision today was inevitable and correct. It taught a bitter lesson to the entire political class, particularly the incumbent majority." Ninova expressed her hope that the MPs on both sides of the political aisle will improve their working style.

Volen Siderov, Floor Leader of the United Patriots (GERB's coalition partner), said Glavchev's resignation was a compromise for the sake of stability and calm.

The National Assembly decided to hold an extraordinary sitting on November 21 in order to hear an address by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who is expected to pay a working visit to Bulgaria.