Calls to Lift Immunity of Four Vazrazhdane MPs Left Off Parliament’s Agenda

Nikolay Zabov

Hamid Hamid speaking in Parliament, Parliament Chair Kiselova behind him, Sofia, January 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

11.06.2025 13:06

(BTA)

The motions to lift the immunity of four Vazrazhdane MPs again did not enter Parliament's agenda on Wednesday.

During the discussion of this week's agenda, National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova said that Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning Deputy Floor Leader Hamid Hamid had proposed four draft decisions for inclusion on the agenda to authorize the prosecution of Yordan Todorov, Nikola Dimitrov, Ivaylo Tchorbov and Slavcho Krumov from Vazrazhdane. The motion is inadmissible because each MP can propose one item on the agenda, Kiselova said.

Kiselova reported that after the presiding council on Wednesday, Hamid and three other MPs had tabled the draft resolutions separately, but motions for inclusion on the agenda were to be made by 6 p.m. on the day before the meeting.

Hamid argued that Kiselova should have admitted the first draft resolution and labelled the rest as inadmissible. Hamid urged Kiselova to propose that parliament consider the immunity of four Vazrazhdane MPs who took part in a rally that escalated in storming the building of the European Commission in Sofia in February.

Kiselova proceeded to propose that only the first motion tabled by Hamid, to prosecute Todorov, be placed on the agenda. MPs refused to include it for consideration by 71 votes in favour, 40 against and 81 abstentions.

Hamid proceeded to criticize GERB for being pro-Europeans only in theory. He asked for a revote, which resulted in marginal change with 72 votes in favour, 41 against and 81 abstentions. The proposal was backed by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, MRF - New Beginning, BSP - United Left, MECh, and one non-partisan MP. Vazrazhdane, Velichie, two MPs from BSP - United Left, and two MPs from GERB-UDF voted against. The remaining 56 GERB-UDF MPs, as well as There Is Such a People; Democracy, Rights and Freedoms; one MP from BSP - United Left abstained.

/VE/