Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

National Assembly fails to adopt amendments to the Constitution at first reading

Photo: BGNES-archive

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. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia sign green energy cooperation pact

Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baku on cooperation in the transmission and trade of green energy.  The document was inked by the energy ministers of Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, Zhecho Stankov and..

published on 4/4/25 4:34 PM
President Radev (R) and King Abdullah II

Aqaba Process summit in Sofia addresses terrorism, migration and radicalisation in the Balkans

The President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, and the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, are hosting the Aqaba Process Summit, which focuses on the Balkans and brings together nearly 30 delegations. These delegations are led by Heads of State, government..

published on 4/4/25 3:53 PM
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov

Bulgaria cannot intervene in espionage case against Bulgarians in the UK, says PM Zhelyazkov

Bulgaria cannot intervene in the espionage case against Bulgarian citizens in the UK. This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov during parliamentary question time, in response to a question from the Velichie party.  "Criminal justice is carried..

published on 4/4/25 2:22 PM