Governmental symbols of Bulgaria

Bulgarian flag

The national flag of the Republic of Bulgaria is rectangular in shape and consists of three colors: white, green and red, placed horizontally from the top downwards. The coloured pieces are the same in shape and dimensions: Shape: rectangular, the width - length ratio being 3:5.

Coat-of-Arms of Bulgaria

The coat-of-arms of the Republic of Bulgaria is a state symbol of the independence and sovereignty of the Bulgarian people and the state. The coat of arms of the Republic of Bulgaria is a golden crowned lion, standing on his hind legs, in front of a dark red shield. The shield has a crown, whose prototypes are the crowns of Bulgarian rulers from the Second Bulgarian State, with five crosses and another cross above the crown. Two golden crowned lions, standing on their hind leg, facing the shield, hold it. They stand on two crossed oak branches with acorns. Under the shield there is a white band with the flag that reads: “Union Makes Strength”.

Political structure of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president, elected through a popular vote for a period of five years. In case the president cannot fulfil the required duties, the position is taken over by the vice president, elected on the same ticket. The president is the wartime commander-in-chief and has the right to convoke a consultative council on national security (a representative body including all major parliamentary parties), appoint part of the central bank board and the media regulator. The president may return legislation for reconsideration to parliament, but the veto can be overruled by an absolute majority.

National Assembly of Bulgaria

The National Assembly of Bulgaria  is the unicameral parliament and body of the legislative of the Republic of Bulgaria. It was established in 1991 with constitution of Bulgaria, articles 62 to 91, as a successor to the National Assembly that has been in continuous operation since 1879.

The National Assembly consists of 240 members elected for a four-year term by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies. Political parties must garner a minimum of 4% of the national vote in order to enter the Assembly.  Bulgaria has a multi-party system, with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments. The Assembly is responsible for enactment of laws, approval of the budget, scheduling of presidential elections, selection and dismissal of the Prime Minister and other ministers, declaration of war and deployment of troops outside of Bulgaria, and ratification of international treaties and agreements. It is headed and presided by the Chairman of the National Assembly of Bulgaria.

In addition to the ordinary National Assembly, a Grand National Assembly may be convened in order for important matters of national importance to be resolved, such as the adoption or change of a constitution, territorial changes, the election of a head of state or regents, etc. As an organ, the Grand National Assembly was introduced with the Tarnovo Constitution of 1879, abolished in 1947 and reintroduced with the 1991 constitution. It consists of 400 deputies (as opposed to 240 in the ordinary one), 200 being elected by proportional representation and the other 200 by majoritarian representation. A qualified majority of 2/3 during three voting procedures on separate dates is required for a decision to be made.

The Grand National Assembly can also serve as an ordinary National Assembly, taking care of regular legislative activities, until the election of one, when it is dissolved. A total of seven Grand National Assemblies have been in operation in Bulgaria, the last one from 10 July 1990 to 12 July 1991 adopting the current constitution.

The central government has authority in local districts through district governors, appointed by the cabinet. Other local officials, including mayors and local assemblies, are elected in proportional votes for a period of four years. The level of fiscal decentralization is relatively low and municipalities are heavily dependent on the central government.

Bulgarian regions and territorial structure

The territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is divided into 278 municipalities and 28 regions. Municipalities are legal entities and have the right of ownership and independent municipal budgets. Mayors of the municipalities and municipal councils are elected through direct local elections at every 4 years, following the law regulations. The municipal council is the local government authority, which determines the development policy of the municipality. The municipal council consists of the directly elected municipal councilors. The executive power body in the municipality is the mayor of the municipality.

The regions are administrative - territorial units executing the regional policy of the central government. The regional government is performed by regional governors and regional administration staff on municipality budget expenses. The regional governor is a monocracy body of the executive power in the region, performing the state government in the region and providing compliance of national and local interests in executing the regional policy. The regional governor is appointed by the Council of Ministers.