site.btaMPs Extend Deadline for Proposals Between First and Second Readings of Amendments to Judicial System Act, Price Control Legislation

Bulgarian lawmakers on Friday extended the deadline for written proposals between the first and second readings of amendments to the Judicial System Act, which were approved on Thursday.

Parliament approved a two-week extension to the original seven-day deadline, making the total period for submitting proposals three weeks. The proposal by Yanka Tyankova of Progressive Bulgaria for a longer deadline was supported by 168 MPs, while 13 voted against and 30 abstained. 

“My proposal is based on the discussions held at the ad hoc committee meeting and on statements by representatives of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court, who said they would need to convene a plenary session in order to prepare an opinion, which requires at least 10 days,” Tyankova said.

Peter Petrov of Vazrazhdane called for the deadline to be reduced to the minimum three days allowed under parliamentary rules. He argued that the amendments to the Judicial System Act should be adopted swiftly in order to proceed quickly with the election of members of the Supreme Judicial Council. 

“We believe it is appropriate for the proposal deadline to be shortened and for the bill to be quickly reviewed on second reading,” Petrov said. 

Parliament also extended by one week - until May 27 inclusive - the deadline for proposals between the first and second readings of the draft amendments to the Competition Protection Act, which had already passed first reading. The proposal by Konstantin Prodanov, chair of the ad hoc Budget and Finance Committee, was approved with 168 votes in favor, 32 against and no abstentions. 

The deadline for proposals on the amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, adopted on Thursday, was also extended by one week, until May 28 inclusive. A total of 169 MPs voted in favor, 32 opposed and there were no abstentions.

"In light of the feedback we received at the Budget Committee and during the meeting with trade unions, employer organizations and agricultural sector associations, we believe it is appropriate to allow more time for proposals," Prodanov argued.

Tsoncho Ganev of Vazrazhdane voiced opposition to the proposed extensions for the bills related to price controls. He commented that the ruling majority had initially sought to rapidly pass what he described as two “completely crippled” bills, but was now extending the proposal deadlines. 

Ganev cited a statement issued after Thursday’s meeting at the Council of Ministers with associations representing major hypermarkets, agricultural producers and trade unions, which announced a one-week postponement in order to “calibrate” the measures. 

"Congratulations - the new morality has arrived in Parliament. Not only are you delaying the state’s problems, you are now calibrating yourselves with the hypermarkets and retail chains," he said.

The extension of the deadlines for proposals on the price-control legislation was supported by Progressive Bulgaria, Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change. MPs from GERB-UDF and Vazrazhdane voted against the extensions.