Bulgarian members of parliament gave the citizens the right to call a referendum, unfortunately only on paper. Photo by BGNES
Bulgarian citizens will be entitled to call a referendum given that they collect 50 000 signatures and activity is not lower than the turnout at the latest elections, the parliament decided.
The referendum will be valid and applied if more than half of the voters have supported the proposal in question.
The adoption of the law for direct participation of the citizens in the governing of the country marks a major step forward for the country and comes after a nearly eight-year delay.
Calling a valid referendum, however, will be conditional on so many requirements that it practically robs Bulgarian citizens of their right to do so, members of parliament admitted.