site.btaNational Assembly's Past Session Report: 44 Sittings, Four Entirely New Laws, 11 Amendments

The Parliament held 44 sittings, adopted four entirely new laws and 11 amendments to laws during the past session, National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova said in a statement released by the National Assembly press centre on Wednesday. Among the legislative acts, she highlighted the extension of the 2024 State Budget, as well as the adopted 2025 State Budget and this year's budgets of the State Social Insurance and the National Health Insurance Fund.

She argued that the Government has overcome two significant tests - two votes of no confidence. 

"There was a political decision to adopt a declaration on non-participation of Bulgarian troops in possible military operations on the territory of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," she said. Kiselova also recalled that in mid-March the previous National Assembly's decision on the equipment for the Belene NPP expired and the ruling majority should now decide how it should be used. 

Kiselova said that the fragmentation of Parliament in certain cases makes it very difficult to take decisions, but the laws adopted in the past session were consensual and were passed with a higher than usual majority. The slower pace of adoption of changes to laws should ensure their long-term sustainability and predictability, she underlined. The focus of legislative activity should be on making fewer changes to laws, but seeking greater depth, Kiselova added.

The National Assembly has paid no little attention to addictions related to new types of electronic cigarettes, to drugs and to the impact of alcohol and drug use on traffic safety, Kiselova also said.