Velichye MP Ilieva faces probe over legitimacy row

Bulgaria’s National Assembly leadership has asked election authorities to investigate whether Maria Ilieva holds her parliamentary seat legitimately. The deputy represents the Velichye party and recently issued a public apology to faction leader Ivelin Mihaylov after she attended a legislative session against his explicit instructions.

Radostin Vassilev, who heads the MECH parliamentary group, confirmed the development to reporters outside parliament on Tuesday. Eight of the chamber’s nine party factions backed sending the inquiry to the Central Election Commission for review, he said.

Ilieva apologized days earlier for what she described as a communication mistake. She registered her attendance at a National Assembly meeting alongside other Velichye members despite directives from Mihaylov forbidding the group from providing support to the governing coalition. The presidium’s referral to election officials raises questions about her eligibility to serve as a member of parliament.