Bulgaria - December 2023

The parliament approved the most extensive set of constitutional amendments since its adoption in 1991, with 165 votes in favour (PP-DB, GERB-SDS, and DPS), 71 against (Revival, BSP, and ITN), and one abstention (Boyko Rashkov). These amendments bring significant changes to the judiciary, addressing a long-standing EU request by reducing the Prosecutor General’s powers. They also limit the president's powers in appointing a caretaker cabinet, introduce measures to democratize the election process for regulatory and control authorities, and allow Bulgarian citizens with dual citizenship to serve as MPs and ministers. Justice Minister Atanas Slavov emphasized that these changes are a crucial step toward aligning the country with European democratic standards. The pro-Russian opposition and President Rumen Radev oppose the amendments. In January 2024, President Radev referred the revisions to the Constitutional Court, expressing concerns about their constitutionality and potential implications for the governance of the country.

Sources: Parliament of Bulgaria, Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), The Sofia Globe (1), The Sofia Globe (2), Euractiv Bulgaria, Novinite (1), Novinite (2)