site.btaMP Nataliya Kiselova: Consultations Should Be Frank Talks with President and Lead to Choosing Person Willing to Form Government

Consultations with parliamentary groups should be an open and frank discussion with the president, aimed at selecting a person willing to take on the task of forming a government, said Nataliya Kiselova of the BSP-United Left parliamentary group on Tuesday, speaking to journalists after a meeting of Parliament’s Defence Committee. She was responding to a question about possible options if all individuals designated under the Constitution decline to serve as caretaker prime minister. Kiselova specified that she was expressing her personal opinion.

She said it is not possible to argue that the outgoing government should remain in office until early elections are held, because the Constitution first provides for the appointment of a caretaker government, followed by the setting of an election date.

Earlier in the day, National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan said after a meeting with President Iliana Iotova on the formation of a caretaker cabinet that a political figure should not serve as caretaker prime minister, as the position requires a perception of impartiality. Under the Constitution, a caretaker prime minister may be appointed from among the National Assembly chair, the governor or a deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, the chair or a deputy chair of the National Audit Office, or the ombudsman or a deputy ombudsman.

Kiselova noted that while she has often criticised the relevant constitutional text, when a person falls within the group of eligible candidates, it is not appropriate to declare in advance that they would refuse the role. In her words, arguments should be presented, and in this sense President Iotova is demonstrating a new approach, as the manner in which she receives the National Assembly chair shows respect for Parliament.

Discussions on whether the constitutional provision should remain unchanged are likely to be reopened in the future, Kiselova said, arguing that "tying the president’s hands" in this way creates more problems than it solves.

Asked whether she expects another attempt on Wednesday for the plenary to debate the Election Code, Kiselova said that by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday the National Assembly chair sets the draft agenda, and parliamentary groups have until 6:00 p.m. to submit proposals, meaning the outcome depends on which items the chair includes.

Kiselova also commented on Bulgaria’s accession to the Board of Peace, when asked whether it matters which composition of Parliament ratifies the agreement. She said both the Council of Ministers and the National Assembly are state institutions, and it does not matter which composition is in place, provided there is political will. She added that before joining any initiative, Bulgaria must examine the commitments it entails and its purpose, especially if it is an international organization rather than a recovery fund.

Kiselova said that lawmakers have not yet seen an official text or official translation of the agreement provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.