bulgarian Parliament Faces Public Disapproval

Those in power are ignoring the clear disapproval of citizens. A recent study in late September showed 76 percent of Bulgarians dislike the work of parliament. What do people dislike? A constant stream of crises, while lawmakers focus on minor conflicts.

Last month, Parliament sent a terrible message to citizens when it couldn’t hold meetings for an entire week.Many MPs were on state-funded trips abroad, leaving the government without enough people to meet. The opposition didn’t unite to protest,even refusing to boycott sessions or push for crucial issues like a transit fee on Russian natural gas and an inquiry into Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov‘s Family Hotel. The ruling parties then retaliated by blocking the committee proposal.

most Bulgarians likely didn’t notice the details of this situation, and wouldn’t be thrilled by them anyway. But it became clear that MPs, despite their high pay and benefits, can miss work without facing consequences.

How many others in Bulgaria can do that?

Missing work wouldn’t be such a big issue if MPs actually accomplished something to show they care about the country. How can we expect progress when politicians won’t even address the need for a functioning judiciary? The prosecutor’s office is currently led by Borislav Sarafov, who, according to the law and a recent Supreme Court of Cassation ruling, should not be in that position.

Yet, he remains. Why? As politicians haven’t chosen their representatives to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in three years, preventing the council from being properly formed.