The National Assembly will today address the discussion of important issues concerning both the media environment and the transport infrastructure in the country. A central place in the program of the plenary session is occupied by a draft decision regarding the terms and procedure for the election of a general director of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).
It is expected that the MPs will consider procedural rules, defining the way of proposing candidates for this key post, as well as the procedure for the election itself by the parliament. This decision, announced as the first item on the agenda, is of critical importance for the future of the national information agency.
On October 23, the Committee on Culture and Media has already approved these procedural rules. The chairman of the committee mentioned the expiring mandate of the current director of BTA. By law, the election of a new general director must be held two months before the expiration of the mandate of the incumbent, according to Article 12, para. 1 of the BTA Act.
In addition to the issue of BTA, the members of parliament will also consider changes to the Law on Road Transport. The initiators of the changes are Tsveta Karayancheva (GERB-SDS) and a group of MPs. The bill is aimed at solving problems that have arisen in several municipalities, including Maritsa and Rodopi in Plovdiv region, as well as Dobrichka and Tundzha.
The problem, according to the explanations of the proponents to the parliamentary committee on transport and communications, consists in the unwillingness of bus carriers to participate in public procurement. This is dictated by the low load on the lines. The proposed changes provide for the removal of the obligation for bus lines between small municipalities and regional centers to stop necessarily at bus stations. The aim is to allow more flexible route planning and to improve the service of citizens.
In addition, other important legislative initiatives are included in the agenda. The MPs will hold a first reading of the Law on Safety and Security during Sporting Events. A second reading of amendments to the Electronic Communications Act and the Markets in Financial Instruments Act is also forthcoming. Finally, the program includes a second vote on a Framework Loan Agreement between the Council of Europe Development Bank and Bulgaria.