site.btaParliament to Hear Interior Minister on Police's Actions during December 1 Protest in Sofia

The first item on Parliament's agenda for Thursday is a hearing of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov regarding the actions of the Interior Ministry and the Sofia Directorate of Interior during and after the December 1 protest in Sofia, according to the National Assembly's website. The minister will be asked to explain the advance planning and organization of security for the protest and marches, the admission and neutralization of organized groups of provocateurs and football hooligans, and the use of force and special means against citizens, among others. The hearing has been requested by the Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group. 

The election of a Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is the second item on the agenda. The current BTA Director General, Kiril Valchev, has been nominated for a second five-year term. His candidacy was submitted by Kostadin Angelov (GERB–UDF), Toshko Yordanov (There Is Such a People), and Mariana Boyadzhieva (BSP–United Left).

Valchev’s term as Director General of the national news agency expires on January 27, 2026. Under the BTA Act, the National Assembly elects the Director General two months before the expiration of the incumbent’s term.

Also on the National Assembly’s agenda is a second reading of amendments to the Penal Code, as well as a second reading of a bill to amend and supplement the Family Code.

Parliament is also expected to debate and ratify the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part. The agreement was signed in Samoa on November 15, 2023.

The agenda also includes the ratification of the Agreement between Bulgaria and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the privileges, immunities, and facilities granted to the Organisation.