"The correct term is a reshuffle in the National Assembly, not a rotation of the chairman", said former Parliament Speaker Natalia Kiselova in the program "Offensive with Lyubo Ognyanov" on NOVA News. According to her, what is happening in the legislative body is more of a tactical move than a planned exchange of posts.
Despite the Constitutional Court's decision this week, which defined her actions as unlawful, Kiselova categorically defended her decision to stop President Rumen Radev's request for a referendum on the introduction of the euro.
"I would do the same thing again", she emphasized on NOVA News.
According to Kiselova, the long-standing practice of the Constitutional Court since the 1990s has given a certain autonomy to the internal acts of the parliament. She specified that her order was previously coordinated with the chairmen of six of the nine parliamentary groups in the then National Assembly.
Kiselova described the request for a referendum as a "political provocation" and accused the Constitutional Court of having avoided giving a clear answer for the second time on how to proceed with unconstitutional proposals.
"The Constitutional Court, both in 2016 and now, did not answer one question - when there is a request that is unconstitutional, how should it be acted upon. Does it have to be discussed in committees? The Constitutional Court is running away from this", she commented.
Regarding the sharp reaction of Rumen Radev, who called the magistrates' decision "a victory of law over the arbitrariness of the political class", Kiselova responded rhetorically: "Can one derive law from unlawful actions?". She noted that the head of state had the opportunity to address the Presidential Council, but chose a direct attack in the Constitutional Court.
Natalia Kiselova also commented on the tension surrounding the legislative changes for the special manager of "Lukoil", which were attacked in court by "Vazrazhdane". She defended the parliament's decision, defining the situation as borderline.
"The geopolitical situation as of today would have put the refinery in a situation where it would have to close, not produce, not distribute fuels," explained Kiselova.
According to her, the rapid reaction of the National Assembly and the government was imperative in order to preserve jobs and guarantee access to fuels. She specified that these are two separate laws – one for the activities of the special manager, where synchronization with the actions of Rumen Spetsov is expected, and the second – on property, which is currently not disputed before the Constitutional Court.
Regarding the scandals in the plenary hall, Kiselova expressed the opinion that they are the result of political clashes, not personal conflicts.
"I don't see any scandals in the hall. The fact that the tension is increasing is the result of political clashes. I think it was time to return to the normal functioning of the political debate," summarized the former speaker of the parliament.