Changes in Legislation: Agenda of the National Assembly

Proposals for changes in legislation will determine the agenda of the National Assembly

Sofia, Bulgaria – The upcoming week in the National Assembly promises to be filled with debates and votes on a wide range of bills and proposals concerning social policy, the economy, and public order. Emphasis in the work of the parliament will be placed on a number of important topics, such as social protection for mothers and measures to stimulate the workforce.

Among the most significant proposed changes is the discussion of an increase in compensation for unused maternity and childbirth leave, as well as for raising a child up to 2 years of age. The proposal, which will be considered on first reading, provides for an increase from 50% to 100%. The bill's proponents are Asen Vasilev and MPs from the parliamentary group "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria". The initiators of the changes emphasize that these measures aim to provide additional support for mothers who wish to return to work earlier, creating economic incentives for a faster recovery of the labor force.

According to the submitted motives, the increase in compensation will stimulate the faster inclusion of mothers in the labor market, which in turn will have a positive effect on the economy, increasing budget revenues from contributions on their salaries. In this way, the goal is to balance the social protection of mothers and the economic benefit of their faster return to work. At the same time, according to the proponents, the measure will not lead to additional costs for the budget.

In addition to the issues concerning social policy, the MPs will also discuss a number of other proposals.

The parliamentary group "Revival" has submitted a draft decision to create a temporary commission to investigate all facts and circumstances surrounding the construction and financing of the "Hayashi" hotel in the capital.

Another parliamentary group, "DPS – New Beginning", proposes the creation of a temporary commission to establish facts and circumstances around the activities of George and Alexander Soros and their foundations on the territory of the country. The commission will consider the financing of Bulgarian natural and legal persons and non-governmental organizations, as well as their links with political parties, magistrates, educational institutions, media, business structures and state authorities.

From the parliamentary group "Morality, Unity, Honor" a proposal has been submitted to oblige the Council of Ministers to prepare and propose for voting a draft investment expenditure for the acquisition of "Lukoil Neftohim Burgas" AD and "Lukoil-Bulgaria" EOOD from the Bulgarian state, as well as to start negotiations with the owners of the two companies for this purpose.

On Thursday, in addition to the above-mentioned discussions, the MPs will also consider the procedural rules for the conditions and the procedure for offering candidates for the general director of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA). On October 23, the Culture and Media Committee voted on the rules.

Among the highlights of the agenda for Thursday is the Bill on Amendments and Additions to the Law on Road Transport, introduced by Tsveta Karayancheva (GERB-SDS) and a group of MPs. The bill is aimed at solving problems related to public transport in certain municipalities where bus operators do not want to participate in public procurement. The changes provide for the abolition of the obligation for bus lines between such municipalities and regional centers to stop obligatorily at bus stations, with the aim of ensuring more flexible route planning.

The MPs will also consider on first reading the Bill on Safety and Security during sporting events, which regulates a national and regional coordination mechanism for the security of sporting events and defines the safety and security measures during their conduct.

The program also includes a second reading of amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, as well as a second vote on amendments to the Financial Instruments Markets Act, as well as a second vote on the Bill for the ratification of a Framework Loan Agreement between the Council of Europe Development Bank and Bulgaria.

On Friday, a blitz control will be held with the participation of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers, as well as the regular Friday control, which is a common practice in the work of the National Assembly.