December 3 (BTA) - Bulgaria's new Parliament, which held its inaugural sitting on Friday, elected Nikola Micnhev, a lawyer from Continue the Change, Chairman of the 47th National Assembly. Minchev, 34, was elected in a 158-1 vote with 72 abstentions.

The parliamentary sitting was broadcast live on Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio while many online news outlets had live updates and reports from the session.

In his first address to Parliament as Chairman Minchev thanked the MPs for their trust in him. "Today we set the start of the new Parliament. We are in the favourable stead of people who have recently won the trust of the Bulgarians. However, this favourable position is about to end. We are now faced with tackling the more difficult task of living up to the expectations and trust put in us".

Only one other nomination, of Tsoncho Ganev from Vazrazhdane, had been put up for Parliament chairman but he was outvoted by Minchev.

Without discussions and with full unanimity, Parliament next elected seven Deputy Chairpersons, namely: Miroslav Ivanov (CC), Rossita Kirova (GERB-UDF), Mukaddes Nalbant (MRF), Kristian Vigenin (BSP), Iva Miteva (TISP), Atanas Atanassov (DB) and Tsoncho Ganev (Vazrazhdane).

The session started off with a solemn oath of the MPs.

As per the Constitution, the first sitting of the National Assembly was opened by the most senior Member of Parliament present. In the 47th National Assembly, this is Sylvie Kirilov from the There is Such a People party.

In his address to the new National Assembly, Kirilov urged the MPs to forget their political differences in the name of the national and public interest. "The transparency in the work of the political forces, honouring the election promises, and political correctness will win back people's trust in statehood," Kirilov said.

He also said he was happy to see many young people in Parliament and urged the MPs to mobilize their intellectual potential and integrity to deal with the key major tasks
facing Bulgaria.

President Rumen Radev addressed the new National Assembly. Next, representatives of the seven political formations in the new Parliament made opening statements setting out the priorities in their work.  

After the election of Chairman and Deputy Chairpersons Parliament's sitting ended. The next sitting was scheduled to be held on December 8.

The inaugural sitting of the 47 National Assembly was attended by President Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova, caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev, cabinet ministers, representatives of the judiciary, religious and diplomatic figures.  

Bulgaria's new parliament was elected at early elections on November 14. Seven coalitions and parties are represented in the 240-seat legislature: Continue the Change (67 seats), GERB-UDF (59), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (34), BSP for Bulgaria (26), There Is Such a People (25), Democratic Bulgaria (16), and Vazrazhdane (13).

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Nikola Minchev: Bio

Born on September 13, 1987, Minchev graduated from the German Language High School in Sofia and later attained a Master's degree in Law at the Sofia University, after which he started work as a lawyer. He speaks English and German and enjoys sports.

His law career began at the Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov Law Office in Sofia. Minchev's biggest work passion is procedural representation. He has defended clients' rights in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. He has participated in conferences and given a lecture before the Energy Law Group (experts in energy, mining, and natural resources law in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). Minchev's expertise also includes banking regulation, capital markets, and public procurement. ZH, DD, YV//

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