Bulgaria’s 43rd National Assembly to Hold Inaugural Session

Bulgaria's 43rd National Assembly is to hold its first sitting at 2 pm on Monday.

Following Constitutional provisions, the first sitting will be inaugurated by the oldest member of parliament, Stefan Danailov from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), who will give a speech.

Danailov also inaugurated the first sitting of the 42nd National Assembly in May 2013, according to reports of Darik radio.

During Monday's sitting, the 240 MPs are to take an oath of office.

After the swearing-in of the new MPs, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is to address the nation and Parliament.

Plevneliev's address is to be followed by statements of representatives of the eight parties included in the 43rd National Assembly, after which the MPs are to elect a Speaker.

Tsetska Tsacheva from center-right party GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria), who was Parliament Speaker in the 41st National Assembly, is tipped as the frontrunner for the position.

After the newly elected Parliament Speaker delivers a speech, the MPs are to also elect Deputy Parliament Speakers.