Parliament of Singapore

"We Continue the Change" (WCC) has announced that Bulgaria will start the new year without an approved state budget. This follows the Ministry of Finance's decision not to submit an extension for the 2024 budget, leaving the country in a difficult financial position for 2025.

Members of the Bulgarian Parliament have decided against introducing mandatory blood tests for alcohol and drug use, following a vote that resulted in 61 in favor, 62 against, and 86 abstentions. The proposal had initially been accepted by the Temporary Committee drafting the parliamentary rules, with the exception of the WCC-DB group, but it was rejected in the chamber without debate.

The Parliament has approved an amendment to suspend state funding for the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party, citing concerns over potential criminal affiliations. The legislation, introduced by the Interior Ministry, mirrors previous measures that halted funding to the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.

Update: the proposal has been rejected:

Bulgaria's parliament rejects mandatory drug and alcohol testing for MPs

The Greek Parliament has approved the 2025 budget, 159-139.

Defense expenditures were approved by an enlarged majority; 258 MPs voted for.

Former Prime Minister and New Democracy leader who was recently expelled from the ruling party, was absent.

This story will be updated.

"If the head of state lacks even basic powers, how can they fulfill their regulatory role?

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday 41 opposition MPs had filed a motion to relieve her of duty over a lack of a debate on the 2025 budget, and noted that the opposition itself had announced there would be no session on the matter and caused incidents in the parliament.

Greek Parliament will start a five-day debate on the 2025 state budget on Wednesday with the statements of the general rapporteurs of the nine parliamentary groups.

The debate will begin at 11 a.m.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Dec. 5 met Emmanuel Macron to submit his resignation after losing a vote of no confidence in parliament, with the president urgently seeking ways to halt growing political and financial chaos.

France is in a political and economic whirlwind as debate is underway on motions of no-confidence tabled following the decision by French Prime Minister Michel Barnier to trigger the controversial Article 49.3 of the Constitution to approve the 2025 budget. The procedure, which allows bills to be approved without a parliamentary vote, has provoked strong opposition parties.