POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF BULGARIA

The President is an autonomous institution within the system of state authorities. The President’s powers are set out in the Constitution.

The Head of State does not belong to any of the three branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial, but interacts with each of them.

The President has the right to address the nation and the National Assembly. Through them he takes a position as a unifier of the nation.

The President informs the public and Parliament on major issues of the implementation of government within his powers.

Relationship of the President with the National Assembly

The President shall schedule elections for Members of Parliament, to be held two months before the expiry of the four-year term of office of the National Assembly.

In addition to elections for a National Assembly, the President shall schedule the elections for members of the European Parliament from Bulgaria and local government authorities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Election Code.

The President determines the date on which to hold a national referendum if Parliament has voted to hold one. The President can submit a proposal to the National Assembly to hold a national referendum under the terms and procedures for the direct participation of citizens in government and local government.

The President has the right to initiate legislation to amend the Constitution.

The President participates in the legislative process by promulgating laws. The President may, within 15 days of the adoption of a law by the National Assembly, return a bill together with his motives to the National Assembly for further debate, which may not be refused (a suspensive veto). Through the President's veto, new opportunities may be sought to discuss controversial points of a law - compliance with the Constitution, international law, European law, applicable law, or as appropriate.

The Head of State and the Government

The Head of State participates in the procedure for forming a Government. Following consultations with the parliamentary groups, the President shall appoint the Prime Minister-designate nominated by the party holding the highest number of seats in the National Assembly to form a government. Should the consultations prove successful, the President asks the National Assembly to elect the Prime Minister, who in turn provides the Council of Ministers. Should the Prime Minister-designate fail to form a government within seven days, the President shall entrust this task to a Prime Minister-designate nominated by the second largest parliamentary group. Should the new Prime Minister-designate also fail to form a government within the period established by the preceding paragraph, the President shall entrust the task to a Prime Minister-designate nominated by one of the minor parliamentary groups. Should the consultations prove successful, the President shall ask the National Assembly to elect the Prime Minister-designate. Should no agreement on the formation of a government be reached, the President shall appoint a caretaker government, dissolve the National Assembly and schedule new elections within the period established by the Constitution. The President's act on the dissolution of the National Assembly shall also establish the date of the new general elections. The interim government conducts the domestic and foreign policy of the country and is responsible to the President. It leads current affairs in the country until the election of the Government by the newly elected National Assembly.

Shared competences of the Head of State and the Government

The President may conclude international agreements on behalf of the state, in accordance with the international treaties of the Republic of Bulgaria, after consultation with the Council of Ministers.

The Constitution confers on the President the power to appoint and dismiss the heads of diplomatic missions and permanent representatives of the state in international organizations at the proposal of the Council of Ministers under the Diplomatic Service Act.

The President accepts the credentials and letters of recall of foreign diplomatic representatives in the country. This power is within the exclusive competence of the President.

The Constitution assigns the President the awarding of orders and medals.

The President names objects of national significance, including beyond the geographical borders of Bulgaria and cities.

The Constitution gives the President the power to forgive bad debts to the state.

Defence and National Security

The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Republic of Bulgaria in peace and in war. He appoints and dismisses the higher command of the Armed Forces and shall bestow all higher military ranks on a proposal by the Council of Ministers.

In the event of conflict or war, the President of the Republic has specific powers used to ensure national security and territorial integrity of the state.

Under the Constitution, the President presides over the Consultative National Security Council, whose status is determined by law. The composition and procedures of the Council are in accordance with the Consultative National Security Council Act. The Council is an advisory body on national security and discusses issues related to internal and external policies of the country in relation to national security, ensuring civil peace, public order, the rights and interests of Bulgarian citizens and actions to prevent breaches of, or a risk to, national security.

Interaction of the President with the judiciary and the Constitutional Court

The country's Constitution provides for judges, prosecutors and investigators to be appointed, promoted, demoted, transferred and removed from office by the Supreme Judicial Council. An exception is provided for “the top three of the judiciary”. The President of the Republic shall appoint and dismiss the chairmen of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court and the Prosecutor-General, on the proposal of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The President participates in the formation of the Constitutional Court and appoints four of its members.

Participating in the constituting of public bodies

The Constitution provides that the President of the Republic participates in the constituting of public authorities when provided by law. This includes the Criminal Assets Forfeiture Commission, two members of the Council for Electronic Media, Council for Electronic Media, the Bulgarian National Bank, the State Agency for National Security and others.

In pursuance of his powers, the President shall issue decrees, addresses and messages.

In his activities, the President is assisted by a Vice President.

The Vice President is elected directly by the people on the same ticket as the President and can exercise a limited range of constitutional powers expressly devolved by the President by decree. The powers that may be delegated to the Vice President include appointment and dismissal of civil servants by law; giving and restoration of Bulgarian citizenship and withdrawal and revocation thereof; asylum; granting parole.

Чуйте последните новини, където и да сте!
Последвайте ни във Facebook и Instagram
Следете и канала на БНТ в YouTube
Вече може да ни гледате и в TikTok
Намерете ни в Google News