The Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) are to nominate the party’s leader Atanas Atanasov for president of the 51^st National Assembly.

According to BNR sources, the decision was made by the party’s national leadership and will be put to discussion by the coalition partners from We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria (PP/DB).  

• Eighth failure of the parliament to elect speaker

To begin with, PP/DB nominated former Minister of Regional Development Andrey Tsekov, but then withdrew his nomination, and were divided in the voting for president of parliament. PP supported the most senior member of parliament Silvi Kirilov, while Democratic Bulgaria (DB) did not.

Over their divergence from the party’s decision, PP even demanded the resignation of two MPs from their parliamentary group – Yavor Bozhankov and Daniel Lorer – their votes (one against and one abstained) proved to be crucial in the failure of the 8^th attempt to elect a president of the National Assembly.

• PP demanded the resignations of two MPs who did not support the candidacy of Silvi Kirilov
• Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria: We look ridiculous in people’s eyes

A few days ago, GERB leader Boyko Borissov put forward the name of Atanas Atanasov for parliamentary president as part of a compromise which included the nomination of Borissov himself for prime minister of a future government.

For public service TV BNT, Atanas Atanasov confirmed the information that DSB are nominating him for president of the National Assembly. He said he had received the support of Yes, Bulgaria and was expecting We Continue the Change (PP) to announce their decision.

Yes, Bulgaria stated they support Atanas Atanasov’s nomination, but not the initial proposal by GERB leader Boyko Borissov - “the parliamentary speaker – for them, the premier – for us”, referring to himself as prospective prime minister, and Atanas Atanasov from PP/DB – as president of the National Assembly.