site.btaDismissal of Health Insurance Fund's Governor Declared Unconstitutional

The Constitutional Court Tuesday voted unanimously to declare unconstitutional a National Assembly resolution of April 17, 2024, dismissing National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Governor Stanimir Mihaylov, the Court said on its website. Ten out of the 12 judges were present at the sitting.

The case was instituted on April 17 at the request of MPs, who held that the resolution contravened the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.

Mihaylov was elected NHIF Governor on July 29, 2023. He was the only candidate and was nominated by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB). On December 1, 2023, the NHIF Governor and the Deputy Governor, Prof Momchil Mavrov, tendered their resignations to Parliament.

On April 17, the MPs debated Mihaylov's resignation on a motion by then Parliament Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov. During the debate, Vasil Pandov (CC-DB) said Mihaylov had withdrawn his resignation. After Mihaylov was voted out of office, Pandov said the matter would be referred to the Constitutional Court.