site.btaUPDATED Parliament Debates Its Leader's Removal

On Thursday, the MPs are debating a proposal to remove Rosen Zhelyazkov from office as Chairman of the National Assembly. Participants in the heated debate are exchanging bitter recriminations.

The proposal was made on Wednesday by members of two parliamentary groups, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and BSP for Bulgaria. CC-DB said in a declaration that the Parliament leader has abused his authority and has served the interests of a bloc comprising GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

The quorum necessary to hold the day's sitting was secured after a second count, during which 125 of the Assembly's 240 members registered in the debating chamber. The first count showed that 117 MPs were present in the chamber.