The former co-chairman of "We Continue the Change" Kiril Petkov has not yet officially submitted his resignation as a MP to the National Assembly. This will happen on Monday, June 30, the party's press center announced to NOVA.
Petkov's parliamentary resignation is expected to be voted on Wednesday by the parliament. The National Assembly confirmed that for the last two days he has notified the Speaker Natalia Kiselova that he will be absent from the sessions.
On June 25, Kiril Petkov announced his decision to resign as co-chairman of "We Continue the Change" and as a MP from the party in the 51st National Assembly. The reshuffle came after the scandal with the municipal mayors and councilors, who left the party due to accusations of pressure on the leadership to conclude public procurement contracts with certain companies.
"I am resigning as a PP MP because I want to say that the party's cause is bigger than any of us", Petkov said at a press conference at the BTA National Press Club.
The political crisis deepened after an action by the Anti-Corruption Commission in the Sofia Municipality. Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov and businessman Petar Rafailov were left in custody on charges of participating in an organized criminal group and offering a bribe.
An audio recording was also sent to the media, which is alleged to be of a conversation between Barbutov and the mayor of the "Lyulin" district Georgi Todorov on public procurement negotiations.
After the vote on Kiril Petkov's resignation in parliament, lawyer Vasil Stefanov from the "We Continue the Change" list is expected to take his place.
The party's National Council will meet on Sunday to decide on the future of the formation and whether Asen Vassilev will remain the sole leader.