Bulgaria's Parliament to Discuss Interior Ministry Bill

Lawmakers are to discuss on second reading a controversial new bill which introduces changes to Bulgaria's Interior Ministry.

The new legislation is aimed at improving working conditions for Interior Ministry personnel and police, but it also touches the institution's structure, reversing formerly ruling GERB party's decision to merge some of its main departments, according to Dnevnik.bg.

It will also change the way the Ministry's Chief Secretary is appointed by assigning the task to the Council of Ministers, a competence currently in the hands of the President.

Cabinet officials believe the new measures will satisfy most demands that have been placed by police unions.

The opposition says legal changes will bring chaos into the Interior Ministry's systems, and some non-governmental organizations believe part of its articles could incite abuses by police.