The proposed amendments to Bulgaria’s Constitution failed to get enough votes at first reading. 161 MPs voted in favour. In order to change the Constitution, 180 votes are needed. "The amendments were not adopted, but since more than 160 MPs voted in favour, a first reading vote can be held once more, no earlier than two months from today", National Assembly Speaker Rosen Zhelyazkov said.
The proposed changes were submitted by GERB-SDS, We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. They envisaged a structural reform of the Supreme Judicial Council. According to the proposed amendments, the caretaker Premier shall be appointed amongst the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Constitutional Court or the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. There was also a proposal to change Bulgaria’s national day from March 3 (on this date in 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano was signed, which put an end to the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878 and marked the re-establishment of Bulgaria as a sovereign state) to May 24- the Day of the Bulgarian language, education and culture, and of the Cyrillic alphabet. According to the proposed amendments, people with dual citizenship could also be elected as MPs and ministers. The Bulgarian Socialist Party, "There is Such a People" and "Vazrazhdane" strongly criticized the proposed changes. According to them, they will not solve the problems in the judicial system.
The convergence report for joining the Eurozone will be requested after February 18, when the draft state budget is submitted. In an interview with public broadcaster BNT, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the draft budget..
The Bulgarian National Radio celebrates its 90th anniversary on January 25 with a gala concert with the participation of all ensembles of the BNR at the Sofia Opera. Before that, the Sirak Skitnik Award will be presented at a..
In the context of the efforts to release the Bulgarian citizens detained on board the Galaxy Leader ship, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Georg Georgiev, paid a working visit to the Sultanate of Oman, where he met with..
Personnel and military equipment will be transported through the territory of Bulgaria between January 24 and February 9. The Ministry of Defense..
''Bulgaria has welcomed with great relief and joy the release of Bulgarian citizen Daniela Gilboa, who had been held captive by Hamas. This positive..
The oil spill in the Black Sea will not reach the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, BTA reported. According to an analysis of recent satellite images..
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