Constitutional law

More than one-fifth of Bulgarians resided in areas impacted by disasters over the past year, according to data from the National Statistical Institute. These incidents included a wide range of events such as accidents, natural disasters, and other crises, resulting in significant human and economic losses.

Rhodes and Limnos have been declared in a state of emergency by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, following requests from the mayors of both islands. The formation of committees to assess the damage caused by the Bora storm has also begun.

Bulgaria's Vice President Iliana Yotova expressed concerns about the ongoing parliamentary crisis, stressing that the risk of it escalating into a constitutional crisis is high. She emphasized the importance of electing a speaker of the National Assembly on Friday to ensure a functioning parliament.

Teodor Slavev, a representative from the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives, has expressed serious concerns regarding the conduct of the recent elections, suggesting that there may be grounds for an appeal to the Constitutional Court to annul the results, either in part or entirely.

The administrative judges, commenting on the domestic violence case involving Apostolos Lytra, who allegedly assaulted his lawyer’s wife, also expressed in today’s announcement their deep concern regarding the disciplinary oversight of judicial and prosecutorial officers who opted not to detain the criminologist after his confession during interrogation.

TThe date for the election of the new president of the Constitutional Court has been designated as March 21, as the term of office of current head Zühtü Arslan is set to conclude on April 20.

The government is planning a string of important reform initiatives across a range of areas, from tertiary education and family law to the way that justice operates.

In a demonstration of solidarity and support, Bulgaria is set to contribute €60,000 (117,350 BGN) to Ukraine through the OECD Program. The bill for the ratification of the agreement is scheduled for a vote on Friday, emphasizing Bulgaria's commitment to aiding Ukraine's recovery and economic development.

Fifty parties, party coalitions, and individuals submitted applications to Greece's Supreme Court for approval to run in the May 21 national elections, more than double the number of those submitted in the last general elections (24) of July 7, 2019.

The Slovenian government has decided to join the European Commission's lawsuit against Hungary over its anti-LGBT law. A number of member states and the European Parliament are supporting the Commission's legal action at the EU Court of Justice over what is deemed a discriminatory law.