site.btaCC-DB Sets Conditions for Supporting National Assembly Chair Candidate amid Ninth Failed Vote

Continue the Change (CC) will support Nataliya Kiselova for National Assembly Chair, if the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)-United Left coalition supports the cordon sanitaire around the leader of MRF-New Beginning Delyan Peevski, Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) co-chair Kiril Petkov told BNT on Thursday.

Petkov explained that if the National Assembly Chair runoff vote later on Thursday includes representatives from parties that have signed the declaration to limit Peevski's influence, the party will vote in support of both candidates. Only There is Such a People (TISP) has signed that declaration at this time.

"We've made it clear that our priority is our candidate [Atanas Atanassov from Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB)]. However, we're also open to considering Silvi Kirilov (TISP), as we did yesterday, and Nataliya Kiselova, provided that they [BSP-United Left] sign the declaration" Petkov said.

He added that a decision from his colleagues from Democratic Bulgaria (DB) on this issue is expected a little later.

Petkov noted that there is no issue with CC supporting a BSP candidate and that he is not concerned if the far-right party Vazrazhdane supports the same candidate for Parliamentary Chair, as CC would never govern with them.

In Parliament's ninth unsuccessful attempt to elect its chair, Silvi Kirilov of TISP and Nataliya Kiselova of BSP-United Left reached the run-off on Wednesday. In the run-off, 88 MPs voted for Kiselova, 61 were against and 89 abstained. Kirilov received the support of 100 MPs, 119 were against, and 19 abstained.

MPs will make a tenth attempt to elect the 51st National Assembly Chair later on Thursday.

Petkov added that a bill amending the Judicial System Act will be introduced in Parliament later on Thursday. The amendment aims to impose time limits on the service of acting prosecutor general and prevent the sole candidate for the position, Borislav Sarafov, from being elected for the full seven-year term.

The sixth of a series of protest rallies against the expected election of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov to hold the post on a permanent basis was organized in Sofia by the Justice for All Initiative on Wednesday evening.

Voting to elect the new Prosecutor General is set for January 16, 2025, with Sarafov running unopposed.