site.btaTISP's Floor Leader Proposes Interim Parliamentary Chair with Backing from BSP-United Left, MECh, and ARF

There is an understanding among the ranks of the Bulgarian Socialist Party-United Left (BSP-United Left), Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh), and the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (APS) that it is a good option to temporarily appoint the oldest MP, TISP's Silvi Kirilov as acting National Assembly chair, There is Such a People (TISP)'s Floor Leader Toshko Yordanov said here on Monday, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of Parliament. It was TISP's idea to put Kirilov at the helm of the new legislature until a majority is formed to elect its own chair.

MPs failed to elect a chair for the 51st National Assembly during their inaugural sitting earlier on Monday.

"Vazrazhdane and Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) said they need to discuss it, and the time until Wednesday should be used for this purpose," Yordanov explained.

He noted that this is "an elegant way" for parliament to start working. "After that, if there is a majority, Mr. Kirilov will resign, and the majority will elect a chair," Yordanov added.

Yordanov also commented on the statement by GERB leader Borissov, who, earlier on Monday, said a government could be formed between GERB-UDF, CC-DB, BSP, and TISP.

This is a question where one part of the answer is: "Boyko Borissov as prime minister is absurd," and another part of the answer is "it is too early to answer," as we still do not have a National Assembly chair," Yordanov said.

"So far, no one has spoken to us about anything. As far as I understand from colleagues, the leading political force has not spoken to any of them either. These statements are just someone saying something in front of the cameras", Yordanov continued.

Eight parties and coalitions entered Parliament after the October 27 snap elections: GERB-UDF (69 seats), CC-DB (37 seats), Vazrazhdane (35 seats), MRF-New Beginning (30 seats), BSP-United Left (20 seats), ARF (19 seats), TISP (18 seats) and MECh (12 seats).