On Monday the 43rd National Assembly in Bulgaria started work. During the first session of the parliament the MPs took an oath to keep to the laws of the country and its constitution. For the first time after the democratic changes eight political parties managed to enter the National Assembly. About 1/3 of the MPs are debutants. This parliament is also characterized by a strong male presence - 194 men and just 46 women. However, the head of the 43rd National Assembly is a woman - Tsetska Tsacheva is the only female president of the Bulgarian National Assembly and the first to have a second term in office.

According to the constitution, the oath ceremony was led by the oldest MP - Stefan Danailov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, who expressed his hope that the MPs will be working to strengthen democracy in Bulgaria.

"If there was a drop of blood in our hearts that remained true to Kubrat’s testament that ‘Unity makes strength,’ we must join forces and intelligence, because nothing is more important than the wellbeing of our nation and only our joint efforts could bear fruit in the future," said the great Bulgarian actor.

In his address to the National Assembly, President Rosen Plevneliev urged lawmakers to find joint solutions to the problems faced by today’s Bulgarian society. 

"Bulgaria needs a working Parliament and government. Let us show that Bulgarian democracy is ripe for efficient coalitions,” he said. “It is possible for Bulgaria to be ruled by coalitions for many years to come. Let's replace the Balkan ways with a European approach. What is important is not the distribution of positions of power but finding a way to overcome problems. Instead of powerful people, let's focus on building strong institutions; let's focus on modern patriotism, which teaches us to love our country and to devote ourselves to the people. Continuing the reforms in the judiciary, energy, education, healthcare, pensions and security sectors, as well as creating e-Government, modern infrastructure, energy efficiency and diversification - these are the strategically important tasks that should not cause great differences in opinions,” said the head of state. 
 
In the National Assembly leader of mandate-holder party GERB Boyko Borissov outlined three options for government of the country. 
 
"I hope that together with the Reformist Bloc and the support of the Patriotic Front I will be able to head the cabinet. There are three possible ways – a short-term mandate and having new parliamentary elections together with the local ones next year. The second option is a two-year term in office with new elections held simultaneously with the vote for president. The third option is a full four-year term in office. Then I guarantee that I will not be running for president to clear all speculations that I am preparing my party for this move. I am ready to accept the offer of the Reform Bloc that I should not become prime minister, but this way I am not sure if I would be able to control the GERB ministers. I am ready for dialogue in the name of the state.”

BSP will be representatives of the left and an alternative to the emerging right-wing government. This is what BSP leader Mihail Mikov said band added:
 
"We will be a constructive opposition and would support bills that we agree with. We are to vote against draft bills when we disagree. To us expressing a clear position is a way to make the alternative clear.”

MRF leader Lutfi Mestan pointed out that the movement would not support an unprincipled and anti-European coalition:

"For us it is a question of political responsibility to support a clear Euro-Atlantic profile of the next cabinet, even though we might not be part of the cabinet, if this is necessary,” he said.

The Reformist Bloc will be working for strengthening the government and regaining the trust of Bulgarian citizens. Co-chairman of Reformist Bloc Radan Kanev said:

"We should bring the Parliament back to its primary role of an institution that decides on the most important issues facing the nation and does not obey ministerial orders. We must seek compromise, but it must be the necessary compromise for reforms, not the well-known fake compromise of the false elite.”

In addition, the other co- chair of the RB, Meglena Kuneva, urged political forces to realize that a minority government is doomed to not finish its mandate.

Valeri Simeonov from the Patriotic Front defended the program of the coalition and  defined the position of the patriots in the new parliament.:

“The Patriotic Front will be seeking for an agreement and unity with all Bulgarian political forces in order to limit the influence and remove from power the representatives of ethnic parties.”

The MPs from Bulgaria without Censorship declared that they would do everything possible to have efficient parliament and a government that cared for the people.

"We would be determined to dissolve this Parliament if we found out it served factious and lobbying interests. This practice, unfortunately, has been very wide-spread so far,” Svetlin Tanchev said.

During the session the Ataka Party declared their opposition to the presence of EU symbols in Bulgarian Parliament:

“Ataka will remain above the muddy waters of Bulgarian politics,” party leader Volen Siderov said. “Ataka is the last stronghold of the Bulgarian people. This fortress will not fall, because if it falls, Bulgaria will fall.”

The Alternative for Bulgarian Revival Coalition (ABV) called for national consensus on issues that are not related to any specific political party. Ivaylo Kalfin added:

"Let’s change the view of people that politics in Bulgaria is worth nothing and that politicians are parasites, protecting only their own interets.”

Newly-elected President of the National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva pointed out that Bulgarian citizens have given a lesson to politicians through the elections.

“The first is the lesson of humility. Second is the lesson of reconciliation. The third lesson is about unity and agreement. The lesson of responsibility comes fourth. Today, humble and hopefully reconciled, convinced of the need for unity, we must take responsibility about the present and future day of our nation, we must forget our personal and narrow party interests and seek the best legislative solutions for the people who sent us here.”

English: Alexander Markov