Parliament's committee on direct citizen participation and civil society has signed off on the line-up for its Public Council for the 52nd National Assembly. MPs backed it unanimously, 12 votes in favour.
The council draws together people from non-government groups covering 21 fields, committee chairman Dr Alexander Simidchiev said. In total, 96 organisations applied and met the rules set for a seat on the council. Parliament's website lists them by field.
Zahari Yankov takes "civil society development", Miroslav Tsekov "regional and local development and agriculture", Mariyana Mitova "justice and rule of law", Radostina Yakimova "internal security and public order", Georgi Georgiev "economic development, finance and tourism", Albena Drobachka "healthcare", Miryana Malamin-Siriyski "social policy" and Vilis Tsurov "international cooperation and defence".
Radoslav Stoyanov will cover "protection of human rights and religious freedom", Sara Perin "ethnic issues, minority rights and the fight against discrimination", Nonka Matova "physical education and sport", Atanas Radev "youth policy" and Kalina Petrova "protection of children's rights".
For the rest of the fields, Lyuba Yordanova takes "education and science", Orlin Denkov "culture", Regina Stoilova "ecology and protection of the environment and water", Marina Georgieva "biodiversity and animal protection", Teodora Bakardzhieva "charity and volunteering", Valko Stanev "transport and road safety", Daniela Bozhinova "innovation and digital transformation", and Gergana Kutseva "gender equality".
"The Public Council now has to hold its first meeting and put forward a chair and deputy chairs for the committee to vote on," Simidchiev said. The council will also draw up its own internal rules, which will likewise go to the committee for a vote.