Understanding Bulgaria's Political System: Key Institutions and Processes

Bulgaria operates under a parliamentary republic, with its political system based on a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The country's constitution, adopted in 1991, lays out the framework for these institutions and outlines the principles of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

The Executive Branch

The executive branch in Bulgaria consists of the President and the Council of Ministers. The President is the head of state and is elected directly by the people for a five-year term, with a limit of two consecutive terms. The role is largely ceremonial, but the President has certain powers, such as appointing and dismissing the Prime Minister after parliamentary approval, representing the country internationally, and acting as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The President can also veto laws passed by the National Assembly, although this veto can be overridden by a simple majority.

The Prime Minister, as head of government, leads the Council of Ministers, which is responsible for the day-to-day administration and implementation of policies. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party or coalition that holds a majority in the National Assembly. The Council of Ministers is composed of ministers overseeing various sectors like finance, foreign affairs, defense, and education.

The Legislative Branch

Bulgaria has a unicameral parliament called the National Assembly, consisting of 240 members, who are elected for four-year terms through a proportional representation system. The country is divided into multi-mandate electoral regions (MIRs), which correspond to the administrative regions. These MIRs allocate seats based on their population, and voters elect...