site.btaGERB's Rosen Zhelyazkov Says Party Stands by Raya Nazaryan's Nomination for Parliament Chair, Will Not Support Any Other Candidate

GERB’s Executive Committee favours supporting Raya Nazaryan as chairperson of the National Assembly, Rosen Zhelyazkov told bTV on Sunday. He added that Nazaryan, the present incumbent of the post, has fostered "a strong culture of dialogue within parliament and among institutions".

Zhelyazkov said that GERB-UDF would not support any other candidate for the role. "We will stand by our candidate, regardless of the cost. Talks on the parliamentary chair position might only be on the table if there is a majority to form a government. In that case, [GERB leader Boyko] Borissov would be prime minister, and the parliament [chairperson] role could be offered to one of our coalition partners," he said.

"Borissov remains GERB's natural choice for prime minister," Zhelyazkov said, adding that their proposal is contingent on the formation of a majority in the 51st National Assembly. He added that this majority should be formed through negotiations rather than ultimatums.

Zhelyazkov said that they, alongside Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, need to form the core of a coalition agreement. "However, if we lack sufficient votes, we should identify a third coalition partner," he noted.