site.btaParliament Chair Kiselova: It Is Up to Us Whether Parliamentarism Will Survive as a Governance Through Debate

On the 34th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Constitution, National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova (BSP-United Left), delivered a declaration on behalf of her parliamentary group, calling for the preservation and strengthening of parliamentary democracy.

Speaking from the Parliament’s rostrum, Kiselova stressed that it is up to the people’s elected representatives to ensure that parliamentary governance survives as a system of discussion—not as a dictatorship of a vocal minority or a silent majority. “Such a distortion would be an act of violence against the Constitution, which we must not allow,” she stated.

Kiselova recalled that the 1991 Constitution, adopted by the Seventh Grand National Assembly, marked a decisive shift toward democratic governance and political culture. “We must particularly reaffirm this today, when there are clear attempts to reinterpret past events in ways that neither reflect the spirit of the time nor respect the letter of constitutional principles,” she warned.

She stressed the importance of remembering the responsibility shown by the 313 MPs who signed the Constitution, noting that they managed to rise above the fear and division of the time. Since then, the republican model and parliamentary governance have remained without alternative in Bulgaria. “Today, the National Assembly once again needs representatives who are up to the challenges of our time, who recognize their mission and responsibility to the people,” Kiselova said.

She reminded lawmakers that the Constitution is not merely a result—it is a guarantee of Bulgaria’s peaceful transition to democracy, one that should not be undermined. “It remains the foundation of our European present and future,” she added.

Kiselova also highlighted that while parliament plays a crucial role in the constitutional framework, it is not an absolute authority. Its oversight of the executive branch must focus on the public significance of government actions and cannot replace the role of other state institutions.

The declaration further emphasized the importance of constructive relationships between majority and minority factions within the legislature. “A numerical majority must not mean that the minority is ignored,” Kiselova said, calling for minority proposals to be considered on merit, not dismissed due to political arithmetic.

She concluded by stating that the role of the parliamentary minority is not to obstruct but to offer credible legislative alternatives that serve the broader public interest. “Constructive opposition is essential for meaningful legislative work,” Kiselova said. “The true mission of the minority is to prove itself not through populism or disruption, but by shaping better laws.”