site.btaGERB Leader: GERB Would Not Back Down from Having GERB MP Chair 51st National Assembly

GERB leader Boyko Borissov told his party's assembly comprised of regional party coordinators, newly elected MPs and mayors here on Friday that GERB would not back down from having their own MP appointed to the role of Chair of the National Assembly.

Borissov said that GERB's forum has two topics on the agenda: reflecting on the results of the elections and charting the party's path for the days ahead.

He said that Bulgaria is in a state where stability, security, predictability and goals are not on the table.

The leader of GERB said: "Since yesterday [Thursday], the Presidential institution has been saying that the election of this parliament is illegitimate, therefore all decisions taken by it would be illegitimate. If they are illegitimate, why are we gathering on Monday [November 11]?". He was seemingly referring to Vice President Iliana Iotova, who told reporters on Thursday that she does not believe that this National Assembly is legitimate. Borissov said: "I would expect either Vice President Iotova to apologize or the President [Rumen Radev] to withdraw the decree [for Bulgaria's 51st National Assembly's inaugural sitting] for Monday."

Borissov reaffirmed his belief that he is the head of a legitimate party, which won the elections legitimately.

According to Borissov, "It is clear to everyone that new elections will be held, and all parties are acting like they are in an election campaign."

According to the official results of the Central Election Commission, GERB-UDF won the elections for the 51st National Assembly held on October 27 with 26.39% and are the first political force with 69 MPs in the new parliament.

The newly elected 51st National Assembly will hold its first sitting on November 11, the legislature reported on its website. The assembly is convened by a decree of President Radev.