The amendments to the Electoral Code passed successfully after heated debates

Yesterday, Parliament adopted at second reading the amended Electoral Code with the votes of MPs from GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) and the Ataka party. In fact, the vote did not run smoothly as, at intervals, the plenary debates became extremely heated. In the early afternoon, GERB proposed and voted in favour of extending the duration of the parliamentary session until the final adoption of the Code.

Most disputes were ignited by the refusal of GERB MPs to agree to the demand of the Opposition that district mayors be directly elected rather than appointed. Maya Manolova from Coalition for Bulgaria indicated that the direct elections of district mayors could affect over 2 million Bulgarian citizens and that the relegation of this election right reveals the desire for the direct appointment of district mayors ''by the headquarters of a single party''. Ekaterina Michaylova of the Blue Coalition emphasised that the amendments adopted by the Cabinet revealed their fear of the autumn elections outcome for GERB. According to her, this amendment will divest citizens of their democratic right to vote. The left-wing MP, Lyuben Kornezov warned that these texts will be challenged before the Constitutional Court, which would require another amendment to the Code.

There were also heated debates about the introduction of the abroad requirement for at least 100 people to submit an application for the opening of a polling station at a place where no diplomatic Consulate is located.

"GERB is no longer convinced that Bulgarians abroad will vote again in its favour. Therefore, it changes the rules," said from the parliamentary rostrum, the MRF (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) MP Chetin Kazak. In response, the Chairwoman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Iskra Fidosova from GERB, described the allegations of the Opposition as "false and untrue."

The requirement for a 12-month period of permanent residence for the local elections after 2011 was reduced to 6 months, while, for the upcoming elections, it was decreased to 4 months.

Besides, it was also decided that voters will mark their vote only with an "X" sign on the voting ballots. Prior to that, Maya Manolova criticised this requirement and defined it as a change that would undermine the autumn elections, while Lyutvi Mestan warned that MRF will also approach the Constitutional Court.

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