site.btaMPs Approve Election Rules for Regulators, Ombudsman, Audit Office, and Anti-Discrimination Commission

Parliament adopted procedural rules for electing the chair and deputy chairs of the Investment Activity Supervision, Insurance Supervision, and Social Insurance Supervision divisions within the Financial Supervision Commission on Thursday.

The rules were approved with 114 votes in favour, 72 against, and 16 abstentions. Under the new provisions, the Chair of the Financial Supervision Commission must submit deputy chair proposals in writing to the Committee on Budget and Finance via the Chair of the National Assembly within seven days of the chair’s election.

MPs also adopted procedural rules for nominating and electing the chair, deputy chair, and members of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD). The decision passed with 114 votes in favour, 78 against, and 15 abstentions.

Additionally, the National Assembly approved the procedural rules for nominating and electing the Ombudsman with 136 votes in favour, 69 against, and one abstention.

Ombudsman nominations must be submitted in writing to the Committee on Direct Participation of Citizens, Citizens' Complaints and Interaction with Civil Society within 28 days of the adoption of the procedural rules.

Ombudsman nominations must be submitted in writing to the Committee on Direct Participation of Citizens, Citizens' Complaints, and Interaction with Civil Society within 28 days of the rule’s adoption. Proposals may come from MPs, parliamentary groups, and non-profit organizations serving the public interest.

The National Assembly approved procedural rules for nominating and electing two deputy chairs and two members of the Bulgarian National Audit Office (BNAO). The decision passed with 111 votes in favour, 88 against, and two abstentions.

Under the new rules, the governing boards of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Internal Auditors must submit candidate proposals for membership to the Chair of BNAO within seven days of the rules' adoption.

Candidates for the positions of deputy chair and member of the Court of Auditors must hold a higher education diploma with at least a master’s degree and have a minimum of 15 years of professional experience in auditing, administrative and financial law, financial control, finance, or accounting.