The newly elected 42nd National Assembly is to hold its first sitting on 21 May, 2013 at 10.00 am. The Assembly is convened by Decree of the President of Republic of Bulgaria, issued on 17 May, 2013 on the grounds of art. 75 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria. The sitting will be broadcast live by the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio.   

Pursuant to the Constitution (art. 76) the sitting is to be opened by the oldest Member of Parliament present, who will deliver an address. The oldest MP in the 42nd National Assembly is Mr. Stefan Danailov.

At the first sitting the Members of Parliament will say the following oath: “In the name of the Republic of Bulgaria, I swear to adhere to the Constitution and the laws of the country and to be guided in all my actions by the interests of the people. I swear.”  Afterwards MPs are to sign their oath declarations.

The procedure further envisages the play of the Republic of Bulgaria’s anthem as well as the anthem of the European Union and an address to the people and to the National Assembly by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rossen Plevneliev.

Representatives of all parties and coalitions in the 42nd National Assembly will make statements and proceed to elect the new President of the National Assembly thereafter. Before that MPS are supposed to adopt decision on the election procedure of the new Speaker of Parliament. The election process for the NA president’s post is to follow the existing procedure and end with the announcement of the results.

The person elected for President of the Assembly will take on its duties and preside the sitting from then on and deliver an address.

Election of vice- presidents of the National Assembly follows, as well as adoption of resolution to temporarily continue to apply the Rules of Procedure of the former National Assembly. Resolutions on election of non-permanent secretaries of the National Assembly and of a Temporary Committee on the draft Rules of Procedure of the 42nd National Assembly are to take place.