site.btaMECh Parliamentary Group Ceases to Exist as It No Longer Meets Minimum Size Requirement

The MECh parliamentary group ceased to exist after the resignation of its member Samuil Slavov left it with nine members, one fewer than the minimum required for the formation of a parliamentary group. The announcement was made by National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova on Friday morning, towards the end of a 22-hour marathon sitting of the legislature which debated and adopted the 2025 State Budget Act.

Slavov was sworn in as an MP last week.

The rule is that after a parliamentary group ceases to exist, its members should become independent MPs. They may not join another group and may not set up a new group.

MECh leader Radostin Vasilev was relieved of office as Deputy Chair of the National Assembly, Kiselova also said.

On Thursday, the Central Election Commission declared Plamen Petkov, nominated by MECh, as an MP. Petkov is to replace Slavov in the National Assembly but has not taken the oath of office yet.