site.btaReformist Bloc Moves to Reduce Party Subsidies, Objects to Districting Proposed by Referendum Committee

Reformist Bloc Moves to Reduce Party Subsidies, Objects to Districting Proposed by Referendum Committee

Sofia, December 22 (BTA) - The Reformist Bloc on Thursday will move amendments to reduce party subsidies, MP Nastimir Ananiev told journalists.

Under the proposal, subsidies will be reduced regressively. The current subsidy of 11 leva per vote will be paid for the first 150,000 votes. Then it will be reduced by 1 leva for every 100,000 votes. The subsidy above the mark of 1,000,000 votes will be 0.11 leva per vote.

MP Dimiter Delchev said that a proposal by the national referendum initiative committee for districting in majoritarian elections could result only in chaos.

In order for districting to be precise, a census has to determine the exact population and clear electoral rolls of ghost voters. As this hasn't been done, it will mean that districting will rely on non-existing voters. Delchev said the projects was rushed without a public debate and little known authors. Delchev said that suspicions remains that this has been done to the benefit of one or several parties.

The Reformist Bloc will insist that the next general elections be held under the existing clear rules. Delchev added that if steps are taken for a stronger majoritarian element, this should be done within a broader public debate.

On Wednesday, the committee proposed that Bulgaria is divided into 231 single-member constituencies, including 49 constituencies in Sofia City and Sofia Region. Nine single-member constituencies are set up for Bulgarian citizens resident abroad, including three in Turkey.