site.btaUPDATED Nataliya Kiselova Is Elected Bulgarian Parliament's Leader, She Is Hopeful about "Return to Normal Course of Government"

Nataliya Kiselova was elected to lead the Bulgarian Parliament on Friday. She was nominated by BSP-United Left and got elected in the 11th attempt since the new Bulgarian legislature opened what is technically its first sitting on November 11.

An associate professor at Sofia University before she was elected to Parliament, Kiselova is one of the most recognizable experts in constitutional law.

The vote was 140-93 with no abstentions. Kiselova was backed by 68 MPs of GERB-UDF, 35 of Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, 18 of BSP-United Left, 19 of Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. The "against" votes came from one MP of GERB-UDF, 29 of MRF-New Beginning, 18 of There Is Such a People and 11 of MECh.

She reached a second round of voting in which her opponent was Silvi Kirilov, the nominee of There Is Such a People. The MPs had to retake the vote.

Kirilov was supported by 98 MPs, with 119 voting against and 17 abstaining.

"From this day on, I will be Parliament Chair for all," she said in her first remarks after her election. 

She also said, "Compromises will be subject to debate but when a decision is made, it will be observed."

"Bulgarian people need to hear three things today. First, there is hope for this State to return to the normal course of government. Second, there will be sweat and tears, it won't be easy but we need to make sure the efforts are worth it because Bulgarian people want a State that is thinking of them," she also said.