The Bulgarian Parliament is preparing to adopt epochal changes in higher education, which promise significant relief for students through a drastic reduction in tuition fees.
The political formations ITN, GERB, and BSP have submitted legislative amendments that directly respond to the growing discontent among the student community. The proposed changes envisage a 40-percent reduction in fees for paid education, which could completely change the financial burden on young people.
Students from Sofia University and other higher education institutions organized large-scale protests in front of the National Assembly building. The demonstrators insist on specific and fair solutions regarding the price of education and the future of higher education in Bulgaria.
In addition to educational changes, the deputies will also discuss other key issues. The agenda includes the selection of leadership for the National Social Security Institute, with the current deputy head Vesela Karaivanova-Nacheva proposed as its leader.
The parliamentary program also includes a second reading of amendments to the Administrative Procedure Code and the Law on International Commercial Arbitration, as well as a first vote on changes to the State Property Act.
Political tension is also escalating around a potential vote of no confidence. The MECH party announced that there will be no general assembly for a vote of no confidence, but at 2:00 PM, a meeting is scheduled between the parliamentary groups MECH and PP-DB to discuss the motives for potentially removing the government.
The opposition party "Vazrazhdane" issued a sharp ultimatum - if a proposal for a vote of no confidence is not submitted today, they will prepare their own project to remove the cabinet.