Legislative changes
News about adopted, proposed, or debated changes in laws, regulations, and legal frameworks.
Constitutional Affairs Committee Approves Amendments to Electoral Code After Lengthy Debate
The Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs discussed and approved on second reading amendments to the Electoral Code, including the introduction of optical devices for scanning ballots, electoral lists based on NSI data, and the creation of polling stations outside diplomatic missions. The debate lasted over thirteen hours, and part of the opposition left the meeting in protest.
Constitutional Affairs Committee Rejects Amendments to Electoral Code
The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee rejected key amendments to the Electoral Code, including a restriction on CEC members, changes to the majority required for decisions, and the deletion of information about machine voting. The deputies are also discussing the introduction of optical scanning devices.
Zhelyazkov: The Renovation Program Guarantees the Security of the Energy System
Rosen Zhelyazkov and Zhecho Stankov inspected the implementation of the renovation program in Veliko Tarnovo. Minister Stankov highlighted the role of local authorities and the savings from renovation. The Decarbonization Fund was also discussed. Mayor Panov emphasized the program's restoration and its importance for Veliko Tarnovo.
Legal Committee Discusses Amendments to the Electoral Code: Machine Voting and Debates Before Elections
The Legal Committee is discussing changes to the Electoral Code, focusing on machine voting, paper ballots, and potential legislative changes before the elections. Members of parliament and representatives of the bar council express different opinions.
Parliament Reduced Student Loan Interest Rates and Eased Conditions
Reduction of interest rates on student loans from 7% to 3% and new benefits for students. The state will cover loans upon the birth of a second child. The proposers foresee a budget of 100,000 leva.
Rumen Radev will hand over the first exploratory mandate after the New Year to GERB–SDS
After the end of the consultations with all parliamentary groups in the 51st National Assembly, the president announced that the first mandate for a cabinet will be given after the New Year to GERB–SDS.
Night work pay to be recalculated in euros from 2026.
From January 1, 2026, pay for night work, academic degrees, and on-call time will be recalculated in euros. This is part of the preparations for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria.
New Rules for Electric Vehicles: Registration and Control
Proposals for amendments to the Road Traffic Act: creation of a register of electric vehicles, a unified registration system, and the possibility of installing devices for traffic light control.
PP-DB Introduce Bill for 100% Machine Voting: What Changes are Planned for the Electoral Code
PP-DB propose 100% machine voting in the upcoming elections. The bill aims to increase transparency, limit manipulation, and facilitate the electoral process.
Imprisonment of up to 5 years for providing social services without a license
The National Assembly adopted amendments to the Penal Code, providing for imprisonment of up to 5 years for providing residential social care services without a license after an administrative penalty. Stricter penalties are introduced for committing the act by a group, with a document with false content, or for the purpose of financial gain.
Parliament approved on second reading amendments to the Family Code for shared parenting
The National Assembly adopted on second reading amendments to the Family Code, which allow the court to rule on the shared exercise of parental rights, while parallel protests "for" and "against" the changes took place in front of the parliament.
Flexible Working Hours for Parents of Children Under 12: Amendments to the Labour Code on Second Reading
Parliament is discussing on second reading amendments to the Labour Code, which allow for flexible working hours for parents of children under 12 throughout the year. Other bills are also on the agenda.
Extension Law for 2026 Adopted: Salary Indexation and Budget Changes
The Parliament adopted in second reading an extension law for 2026, which regulates the collection of revenues and expenses until the adoption of the regular budget. It includes salary indexation in the budgetary sector, changes in laws on social services, local taxes and fees, as well as exemption from capital gains tax on growth markets.
Private Hospitals and Public Procurement: The Bulgarian Hospital Association Against Changes to the Law
The Bulgarian Hospital Association (BHA) opposes the inclusion of private medical institutions within the scope of the Public Procurement Law. They claim that this contradicts the legal framework and will lead to negative consequences for the healthcare system, including delays in the supply of medications. The BHA proposes alternative measures for transparency.
Budget Committee Adopts Extension Law for the 2026 Budget.
The Budget Committee approved the extension of the 2026 budget, submitted by the caretaker government. The law guarantees the functioning of the state and the rights of citizens, introducing order for expenditures and priorities. Emphasis is placed on preserving social payments and the minimum wage.