Bulgaria's nationalist Ataka party have submitted a petition in Parliament for a national referendum on the sale of agricultural land to foreigners.

In October, Bulgaria's Parliament controversially voted an extension of the moratorium on farm land sale to foreigners until 2020. The ban was supposed to be lifted starting 2014, as a part of the country's EU-accession treaty.

"We will push for a national referendum, since we are witnessing a situation in which a decision of the Parliament is being questioned", commented Ataka leader Volen Siderov, cited by Focus.

Siderov was critical of statements made by the Justice Minister Zinaida Zlatanova, who labeled the extension of the moratorium as "anti-constitutional", keeping in mind Bulgaria's international agreements.

"She does not have the right to make such claims and to evaluate decisions of the Parliament. Only the Constitutional Court can decide on such matters", added Siderov.

The nationalist leader believes the voice of the Bulgarian people should be heard on such an issue of national relevance.

If Bulgaria does not reverse its decision on the extension of the ban, the country could face hefty sanctions from the EU.