site.btaGERB's Parliamentary Group Submits Draft Decision to Disband Ad Hoc Parliamentary "Anti-Soros" Committee

The GERB parliamentary group has submitted to the National Assembly a draft decision to disband the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee of inquiry into the activities of George and Alexander Soros and their foundations in Bulgaria, as well as to establish their connections with political parties, magistrates, educational institutions, the media, business structures, and state authorities, the party’s press centre said on Friday.

"The MPs have no legal basis to investigate private individuals or foundations. The National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria is not an investigative body," the draft decision says. 

An ad hoc committee with such scope of work undermines civil society, encourages authoritarian tendencies, and is incompatible with the principles and values of parliamentary democracy, the draft decision further notes, adding that "democracies function through rules and laws, not witch hunts."

The committee's scope of work goes beyond the constitutional powers of the National Assembly, which is responsible for legislative functions and parliamentary oversight. Citing the Constitution and the Rules of Organization and Procedure of the National Assembly, the reasoning adds that ad hoc committees may conduct studies and inquiries into specific issues, but not investigations targeting private individuals or foundations.

Discontinuing the activity of the ad hoc committee will be a step toward restoring public trust and reducing polarization in Bulgarian society, and will free up time and energy for MPs to carry out the priorities of the citizens, according to the draft decision.