Attempt at institutional silencing

Scandalous changes to the parliamentary rules of procedure, proposed by the ruling majority, have sparked a sharp reaction from "Democratic Bulgaria". Bozhidar Bozhanov stated that the new regulations restrict the rights of the opposition in a way unthinkable even for previous parliaments.

"Colleagues in the ruling party, restrain your authoritarian desires at least a little. The opposition is not there to hinder, but to be the voice of those who did not vote for you," Bozhanov asserted.

Key points of the changes:

  • Shortening deadlines: The time for reviewing bills in committees and the plenary hall is drastically reduced, eliminating the need for public discussion.
  • Limiting parliamentary control: The restriction on postponing questions to ministers is repealed, allowing the government to endlessly avoid answering.
  • Hampering the opposition: Strict requirements are introduced for creating ad hoc committees (48 signatures) and the possibility for hearings on the "opposition day" is restricted.
  • Lack of transparency: The obligation of institutions to provide documents to members of parliament is removed, and the changes are introduced without real motives.

Bozhanov emphasized that the goal of these changes is to turn the "outrages" of the majority into legal practice, thereby isolating any form of opposition oversight and legislative alternative.