Bulgaria’s parliament passed a major constitutional reform on Wednesday that the ruling majority claimed was part of a commitment to changes in the judiciary and aimed at full Schengen membership.
The changes, however, drew criticism from President Rumen Radev and the opposition for depriving the president of much of his power to appoint interim governments.
Under the amendments, the president is stripped of the appointment powers that allowed Bulgaria to switch from a parliamentary to a presidential republic in times of political crisis. The reform also reduces the powers of the prosecutor general, fulfilling a long-standing EU demand, and allows Bulgarians with dual citizenship to be elected as MPs and ministers, Justice Minister Atanas Slavov noted.
“These changes are a guarantee that Bulgaria will remain an active member of the EU, that Bulgaria will remain a parliamentary republic, which means that pluralism and competition of opinions will be in the first place, and not individual decision-making.”
The opposition and Radev announced they would challenge the reforms in the Constitutional Court. He is likely to contest the reform for still allowing the president to appoint interim prime ministers, but only if they are state apparatus officials listed in the constitution.
The Bulgarian Socialist and Vazrazhdane parties have focused their criticism on the change in voting rights for Bulgarians with dual citizenship, claiming it legitimises the possibility of committing treason.
A lawlessness was committed that harms the national security of the republic.
Four years ago, Radev defended the position that Bulgarians with dual citizenship should be given the right to participate in the country’s political life.
