After numerous unsuccessful attempts, the 51st National Assembly of Bulgaria celebrated a significant achievement as Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova was elected as the new Speaker with a majority of 140 votes in favor, 93 against, and no abstentions. Acknowledging the challenging road ahead, Kiselova highlighted the necessity of working together and finding common ground through constructive compromises while also stressing the importance of respecting decisions once made.
The support for Kiselova's election came from a coalition of various political parties, including all 18 BSP MPs, 68 GERB-SDS MPs, 35 from We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, and Ahmed Dogan's Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. However, not all parties stood behind Kiselova, with Vazrazhdane and Delyan Peevski's DPS-New Beginning voting against her. It is noted that the There is Such a People (ITN) and MECH parties did not support Kiselova's candidacy. At 47 years old, Kiselova brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously served as a legal expert in Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, and as the Secretary for Legal Affairs to President Rosen Plevneliev.