site.btaPresident Radev: Evolution of Constitution Driven More by Steadfast Implementation Than State-of-Affairs Amendments

The evolution of the Constitution is driven more by its steadfast implementation than by its state-of-affairs amendments, President Rumen Radev said in a statement on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the adoption of the current Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, quoted by his press secretariat on Friday. The President also said that we should remember with respect the members of the Seventh Grand National Assembly who put human rights, our national and state unity before their political differences.

The strength of the basic law is not limited to its ability to be directly applied and its observance guaranteed by certain state bodies. The real power of the Constitution is the conviction that the supreme law is stable, created with wisdom, reason and care for society and the individual, Rumen Radev further said.

The Constitution adopted on July 12, 1991 at a time of dramatic transition from totalitarianism to democracy is not a "constitution of transition" because it is based on enduring common human values, the President noted. "These values must be recalled and defended every day, because freedom, peace, humanism, equality, justice and tolerance are not a gift, they are historically won achievements of humanity and are indispensable signs of a democratic, legal and social state," the head of State said.

On today's date in 1991, the Seventh Grand National Assembly adopted the new Constitution of Bulgaria and dissolved itself. It was the first new constitution in the former socialist camp, BTA archives state. Its adoption was accompanied by a hunger strike, political tension and a demand for a referendum in which the people would vote for and against the new basic law of the state.

On July 13 1991 the new Constitution of Bulgaria after the democratic changes was promulgated in the State Gazette and entered into force. However, the hunger strike of some of the 39 deputies who left the first Grand National Assembly continued. It was suspended days later after their demands were partially met and elections for the National Assembly and local government were scheduled.

The last constitutional amendments were adopted by the 49th National Assembly in late 2023.