site.btaParliament Votes at First Reading to Take Control of Appointing Statistical Institute Leadership

The National Assembly voted at first reading on Friday to assume the authority to elect the President and Deputy Presidents of the National Statistical Institute (NSI), through amendments to the Statistics Act proposed by MPs from GERB-UDF, BSP-United Left, and There Is Such a People (TISP).

The proposal was supported by 96 MPs, and 38 voted against. Those voting in favour were from GERB-UDF, MRF-New Beginning, BSP-United Left, and TISP. Opposing the bill were MPs from Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, Vazrazhdane, MECh, and Velichie.

Under the current law, the leadership of the NSI is appointed by decision of the Council of Ministers. According to the proposed amendments, within one month of the changes entering into force, the National Assembly must elect a new President and Deputy Presidents of the NSI, and the current officeholders, appointed by the Council of Ministers, would see their mandates terminated.

The bill’s sponsors argue that the proposed amendments will ensure transparency and professional standards in the selection process. The sponsors also justify the reform with the need to guarantee the independence of the country’s national statistical body.