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Bulgaria

 Flag of Bulgaria

Last reviewed: 26 August 2009

Country information

POLITICS

Government system: Parliamentary Republic
President: Georgi Purvanov
Prime Minister: Boyko Borissov
Foreign Minister: Rumiana Jeleva

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic ruled by a democratically elected government. The Prime Minister is head of the executive branch. The National Assembly consists of 240 deputies who are elected for 4-year terms. Since 2009, 31 of the MPs are elected by majority vote and 209 by proportionate vote where voters select candidates from party or coalition lists in each of the twenty-eight administrative divisions. A party or coalition must receive at least 4% of the national vote to enter parliament. Parliament is responsible for, amongst other things, enacting laws, approving the budget, scheduling the presidential elections, declaring war and ratifying international treaties and agreements. There is no second chamber.

The President of Bulgaria is elected for a five-year term, with a two-term maximum. The President serves as the head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The President's main duties are to schedule elections and referenda, represent Bulgaria abroad, and to head the Consultative Council for National Security. The President does not have the power to invite someone to form a government following Parliamentary elections. He/she must instead grant the mandate to the party with the most seats. Also, the President has no veto; he/she may return legislation to the National Assembly for further debate, but it can be passed again by a majority vote. Presidential elections can go to two rounds. For a candidate to win in the first round he/she needs i) more than 50% of the vote and ii) a 50% turnout. If either condition is unfulfilled, the election goes to a run-off between the two nominees with the most votes.

Main Political Parties

Ruling Party:

  • Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) 116 seats
    Centre-right party founded in December 2006. GERB won 116 seats in the 5 July general elections. The minority GERB cabinet was supported by the Blue Coalition, Ataka and the Law, Order and Justice MPs.
    Leader: Tzvetan Tzvetanov (although the de facto leader is the Prime Minister Boyko Borisso)
    European Parliament affiliation – European People’s Party (EPP) 5 MEPs

Other Parliamentary parties:

  • Coalition for Bulgaria 40 seats. A loosely formed composition of left leaning parties, dominated by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).
    Leader: Sergei Stanishev (the former Prime Minister)
    European Parliament affiliation - Party of European Socialists (PES) 4 MEPs

  • Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) 38 seats.
    Centrist/Liberal party, which draws most of its support from the ethnic Turkish minority.
    Leader: Ahmed Dogan
    European Parliament affiliation - European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) 3 MEPs


  • Ataka Coalition 11 seats.
    Ataka Coalition 21 seats – Extreme nationalist party, founded in 2005.
    Leader: Volen Siderov
    European Parliament affiliation – No group 2 MEPs.

  • Blue Coalition 15 Seats. Coalition centre right parties
    Leader: Martin Dimitrov, chairman of the Union of Democratic Forces, Ivan Kostov, chairman of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, and Anastasia Mozer, leader of the United Agrarians (co-leaders)
    European Parliament affiliation – European People’s Party (EPP) 1 MEP


  • Law, Order and Justice (LOJ) 10 seats A small centre right formation set up in 2005.  The key priority of their programme is fight against corruption.
    Leader: Yane Yanev
    European Parliament affiliation – European Conservatives and Reformists 0 MEPs

HUMAN RIGHTS

The FCO 2008 Annual Human Rights Report has information on Bulgaria’s human rights record.

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Contacts

Bulgaria

Address:

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
186–188 Queen's Gate
London SW7 5HL

Telephone:

(020) 7584 9400/9433
(020) 7589 3763 (Consular: Inquiries 1300-1500)
090 6554 0750 (Consular 24 Hour Automated Booking system)
(020) 7581 4903 (Commercial)

Fax:

(020) 7584 4948
(020) 7581 9073 (Consular)
(020) 7589 4875 (Commercial)

Email: trade@bulgariaembassy.org.uk

Office hours:

Mon–Fri: 0900–1800      

Consular Section:
Mon-Fri: 0930-1230 (with an appointment)
Mon-Fri: 1230-1400  (without an appointment)

Website: http://www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk