Parliament Discusses Bill on Registration of Foreign Agents Submitted by Vazrazhdane

Yoanna Vodenova

Parliamentary sitting, Jan. 17, 2024 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

17.01.2024 15:17

(BTA)

MPs Wednesday discussed at the first reading a bill on the registration of foreign agents, submitted by Vazrazhdane. The bill was not put to a vote due to the plenary running out of time.

The bill aims to create a public registry "so that all entities can be public, to increase democratic accountability and publicity," Vazrazhdane MP Stoyan Taslakov said while introducing the bill. According to party leader Kostadin Kostadinov, the bill is "infinitely late". He noted that it also proposes an "infinitely late, even for the European Union, legislative framework", even for the European Union, which would allow for the lightening of foreign agents who act "with impunity in Bulgaria".

This law regulates public relations related to informing the public through the mass media and publicity regarding the financing of natural and/or legal entities operating on the territory of Bulgaria, directly or indirectly receiving material support from abroad, including from foreign governments or enterprises, foreign natural persons, commercial companies, foundations, non-profit organizations, etc., the motives to the bill say.

Speaking during the debate, There Is Such a People (TISP) floor leader Toshko Yordanov, also touched on the issue of funding for the media and NGOs.

/RY/