site.btaABV Supports President's Call for Election Rules Referendum

ABV Supports President's Call for Election Rules Referendum


Sofia, February 23 (BTA) - ABV fully supports a proposal by
President Rosen Plevneliev about a referendum on election rules,
 said ABV floor leader Borislav Borissov, emerging from a
meeting Monday between ABV and President Plevneliev within the
month of political consultations between the head of State and
the parliamentary parties.

Plevneliev suggests a referendum about electronic voting,
compulsory voting and majority voting.

According to ABV, compulsory voting will put an end to the
corporate vote and vote buying. The party proposed a higher than
 50 per cent preferential proportional representation in local
elections.

Reforms should be comprehensive instead of adopting a piecemeal
approach. Borissov said that the judicial reform won't be
complete and efficient without changes to the Constitution. ABV
said that the Constitution should be changed to extend the
presidential powers regarding the legislative initiative,
launching referendums and overturning the presidential veto.

ABV proposed that three new issues make the agenda of the next
meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security under
President Plevneliev: the demographic crises, restart of major
energy projects and sanctions against Russia.  In light of the
Minsk-2 negotiations and the start of the peace process in
Ukraine depending on its progress Bulgaria should reconsider
sanctions against Russia and map out measures to advance
economic cooperation with Russia and Ukraine.