Influential MP Stanimir Ilchev was proposed by the prime minister Tuesday to be elected the new leader of the parliamentary group of ruling Simeon II National Movement . He might now replace Plamen Panayotov after Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg heralded a reshuffle of the floor group's leadership in a harsh speech on Sunday.

The prime minister also favors Miroslav Sevlievski -- member of the newly set club Novoto Vreme, a faction within the ruling party - as new deputy floor leader. Vesselin Bliznakov (chair of the parliamentary committee on energy) and Borislav Ralchev should remain deputies, the prime minister said at a meeting of the incumbent parliamentary group.

Snezhana Grozdilova, Konstantin Penchev and Vladimir Donchev will no longer hold posts in the floor group's leadership. Their replacements should be nominated by the MPs of the ruling party, as the prime minister did not name candidates to replace them.

Ilchev has also been the chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy, defense and security and led the Bulgarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO. He had worked as journalist before his election into the Parliament.

The reshuffle in the ruling party's floor group is expected to be matched by replacements of ministers. A reconstruction of the Cabinet is likely before the summer recess of the Parliament due in August.