Form of Government: Historical Development and Evolution

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Form of Government: Historical Development and Evolution Form of Government: Historical Development and Evolution The ideas about Constitution and Parliament, for voting and representation arise even before the restoration of the independent Bulgarian state in 1878 under the influence of the European thoughts and political practices. In 1879 in the former capital of the Second Bulgarian state – Veliko Tarnovo is the start of the parliamentary practice of the liberated Bulgaria. The people’s representatives elaborate the Tarnovo Constitution and signed it down with one consent on April 16, 1878. It is created later than the constitutions of Greece, Serbia and Romania. The History has defined it to rule the country in the next about 70 years. According to the regulations of the Tarnovo Constitution the Bulgarian state is a parliamentary monarchy with a moderate liberal system. The supreme power in the state is divided between the ruler and the National Assembly. The Bulgarian monarch is the Head of the sate who approves the voted by the National Assembly laws. He is also the supreme commander of the armed forces. Under his name and under his supervising act the executive bodies. The Head of the state has important power also concerning the judiciary power – he could reprieve and announce amnesty. According to Tarnovo Constitution the National Assembly could be of two kinds – Regular and Great National Assembly. Basic Supreme body of the legislative power is the Regular National Assembly (NA) that elaborates and passes the laws, adopts the state budget, controls the executive power, etc. Constituent power possesses only the Great National Assembly (GNA) that has the power to change the territory of the country, to change the Constitution and to choose the monarch and regents. The implementation of the laws is imposed to the Council of Ministers, whose composition is also regulated by the Constitution. Thus is finalized the original triangular of the supreme power in the country: Royal Prince – Council of Ministers – National Assembly. This represents a modern and functional construction, the model for which has been taken from the best in the European constitutional practice. The Tarnovo Constitution provides broad citizen rights. It confirms the principle of inviolability of the personality and the private property. The freedom of the press, the freedom of unions and others have won recognition. The Tarnovo Constitution contains also texts that have more moral than political sounding. Thus it is written in it that it is prohibited division in social estates in Bulgaria and there could be not any noble titles. But the Tarnovo Constitution also contains a series of deficiencies. Thus in it here is no guarantee for the announced through it principles, rights and liberties. A serious gap is the lack of whatever regulations on the functions and of the bodies of the juridical power. Those shortcomings create opportunities for conflicts of interests and for abuses and misuses on the part of the three sides and participants in the execution of the governance. Still in its content the Tarnovo Constitution is a progressive one and it opens the doors for development of a modern Bulgaria. The Tarnovo Constitution is the basic law of Bulgaria from 1879 to 1947 where twice it has gone through some changes that decreased the powers of the National Assembly and increased the powers of the monarchy. The constitutional order in Bulgaria has been violated not once. In 1881 the Constitution is temporarily suspended, in 1923 there has been a military coup d’etat and after May 19, 1934 for a long time the country has been governed by ordinances-laws by practically abrogated constitution. On September 9, 1944 the Bulgarian Communist by the presence of Soviet troops in the country, take over the power of the country. After carrying out a referendum on September 15, 1947 Bulgaria has been proclaimed a Republic. On December 4, 1947 The Sixth Great National Assembly adopts the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bulagria. The so-called ‘Dimitrovska’ Constitution (after the family name of the Comminist leader Georgi Dimitrov) has been prepared under the dictation of the Soviet specialists. It has been used till 1971. The most often met words in it are ‘state’ and ‘people’. With it have been adopted in Bulgaria the basic principles of the Soviet model for fusion of the legislative, the executive and the juridical powers as well as the monopoly over the power of the Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP) has been ensured. Oppressed have been the basic civil rights and liberties, though it was announced that all in the country is done ‘on behalf of the people’. And legalized is the nationalization of the private property. After the period of de-Stalinization and the stabilization of the Eastern block of states in 1971 with a referendum a ‘new’ Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria has been adopted. It has been named by the people also after the family name of the then leader of the Communist party and the country – the “Zhivkov’s” Constitution that has been regulating in the countries its basic law till 1991. There in its Article 1 it has been explicitly worded that “The leading role in the society and in the country belongs to the Bulgarian Communist Party”. This ‘new’ Constitution proclaims the fusion of the legislative and the executive power in one body –a State Council, whose President becomes at once Todor Zhivkov. The Constitution defines the system in Bulgaria of that time as ‘developed socialist society’ – a concept too abstract as formulation and notion and postpones the ‘entering into the communism’ for 1980 – one of the consecutive unrealized promises. On July 12, 1991 the Seventh Great National Assembly has voted the new Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria. It turned into the Constitution of the revived democratic state. According to it Bulgaria is a republic with parliamentary governance. It is a united country where no autonomous territorial regions are permitted. The Constitution establishes the basic principle on which the political system of the society is based – political pluralism, division of power. It defines the system, the organization and the activities of the state bodies, the authorities of the Head of the state – the President of the Republic. In it are listed the principles of the democratic voting system – common, equal and direct voting right with secret voting, the forms of propriety are defined – private and public (state and municipal), the basic rights and liberties of the citizens and the basic obligations of the citizens. Thus the constitutionalism, that has nearly 130 years background in Bulgaria, has triumph again and Bulgaria and the Bulgarians were back on the road towards the democracy that inevitably leads them also toward united Europe. .
Recommended publications
  • Gyors Fordításra Van Szüksége? Kérje Árajánlatunkat
    HU EN DE FR 77-ek csoportja Group of 77 Gruppe der 77 groupe des 77 AASM-országok AAMS countries AASM-Staaten pays de l'EAMA a Bíróság ítélete (EU) judgment of the Court (EU) Urteil des Gerichtshofs (EU) arrêt de la Cour (UE) a Bíróság tagja (EU) member of the Court of Justice (EU) Mitglied des Gerichtshofs (EU) membre de la Cour de justice (UE) Stellungnahme des Gerichtshofs a Bíróság véleménye (EU) opinion of the Court of Justice (EU) (EU) avis Cour de justice (UE) a Bizottság elnöke President of the Commission Präsident der EG-Kommission président de la Commission a Bizottság küldöttsége Commission Delegation Abordnung der Kommission délégation de la Commission a Bizottság véleménye opinion of the Commission Stellungnahme der Kommission avis de la Commission ABM-szerződés ABM Agreement ABM-Vertrag accord ABM abortusz abortion Abtreibung avortement Abruzzók Abruzzi Abruzzen Abruzzes abszolút többség absolute majority absolute Mehrheit majorité absolue a büntetés végrehajtásának felfüggesztése suspension of sentence Strafaussetzung suspension de peine acél steel Stahl acier Regionen der Tschechischen a Cseh Köztársaság régiói regions of the Czech Republic Republik régions de la République tchèque Länder der Pazifischen a Csendes-óceáni Közösség országa countries of the Pacific Community Gemeinschaft pays de la Communauté du Pacifique adatátvitel data transmission Datenübertragung transmission de données adatátviteli hálózat transmission network Übertragungsnetz réseau de transmission adatbázis database Datenbasis base de données système
    [Show full text]
  • Vladimir Paounovsky
    THE B ULGARIAN POLICY TTHE BB ULGARIAN PP OLICY ON THE BB ALKAN CCOUNTRIESAND NN ATIONAL MM INORITIES,, 1878-19121878-1912 Vladimir Paounovsky 1.IN THE NAME OF THE NATIONAL IDEAL The period in the history of the Balkan nations known as the “Eastern Crisis of 1875-1879” determined the international political development in the region during the period between the end of 19th century and the end of World War I (1918). That period was both a time of the consolidation of and opposition to Balkan nationalism with the aim of realizing, to a greater or lesser degree, separate national doctrines and ideals. Forced to maneuver in the labyrinth of contradictory interests of the Great Powers on the Balkan Peninsula, the battles among the Balkan countries for superiority of one over the others, led them either to Pyrrhic victories or defeats. This was particularly evident during the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars (The Balkan War and The Interallied War) and World War I, which was ignited by a spark from the Balkans. The San Stefano Peace Treaty of 3 March, 1878 put an end to the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). According to the treaty, an independent Bulgarian state was to be founded within the ethnographic borders defined during the Istanbul Conference of December 1876; that is, within the framework of the Bulgarian Exarchate. According to the treaty the only loss for Bulgaria was the ceding of North Dobroujda to Romania as compensa- tion for the return of Bessarabia to Russia. The Congress of Berlin (June 1878), however, re-consid- ered the Peace Treaty and replaced it with a new one in which San Stefano Bulgaria was parceled out; its greater part was put under Ottoman control again while Serbia was given the regions around Pirot and Vranya as a compensation for the occupation of Novi Pazar sancak (administrative district) by Austro-Hun- - 331 - VLADIMIR P AOUNOVSKY gary.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Constitutions”
    RUSSIAN LAW JOURNAL Volume VI (2018) Issue 3 A BRIEF HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ESSAY ON “ECONOMIC CONSTITUTIONS” IGOR LEVAKIN, MGIMO University (Moscow, Russia) DARIA TRIFONOVA, Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia) DOI: 10.17589/2309-8678-2018-6-3-172-199 This article explores constitutional regulation as it relates to the foundation of economic relations. The proper norms and divisions of the basic laws (constitutions) of states are analyzed from the historical and legal point of view: the authors develop an idea of “economic constitutions.” This conception is based on the ideas of American and European economists and lawyers, including the works of the Nobel-prize winner James Buchanan, the author of the conception of “constitutional economy.” The analysis of the individual, the most obvious norms of “economic constitutions” is made in their evolution. The common regularities of formation, development, and functioning of “economic constitutions” are researched. “Economic constitutions” are considered as the immanent legal expression of material conditions of life of communities. The research is based on the criteria of the correspondence of “economic constitutions” with the demands of social economic development of state organized communities. The genesis of “economic constitutions” of the USA, France, Germany and other states, for example, Latin American states are researched. Special attention is paid to “economic constitutions” of socialist and postsocialist states, especially to the “economic constitution” of the Russian Federation. The peculiarities in the development of the newest “economic constitutions” based on the basic laws of Finland and Switzerland are revealed. The authors develop an idea that “economic constitutions” are not limited to the questions of the influence of astate on an economy and of the determination of the borders of state regulation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Migration Crisis: a Time for Solidarity Lessons?
    The Migration Crisis: A Time for Solidarity Lessons? MA Thesis in European Studies: European Policy Graduate School of Humanities University of Amsterdam Author: Kristina Dimitrova Student number: 11104120 Main supervisor: dhr. mr. dr. A.C.van Wageningen Second supervisor: dhr. dr. P. Rodenburg July, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... 4 List of tables/figures .................................................................................................... 5 List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................... 6 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 7 1.1. Background and Current State of Affairs ........................................................... 7 1.2. Purpose and Research Question ...................................................................... 11 1.3. Outline ............................................................................................................ 13 2. Theoretical analysis and methodological approach ................................................ 15 2.1. Defining solidarity ........................................................................................... 15 2.2 Theories on EU solidarity ................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Roma As a Unique Cultural Minority: the Impact of Communism and Democratisation on Roma in Eastern Europe
    Durham E-Theses Roma as a Unique Cultural Minority: the Impact of Communism and Democratisation on Roma in Eastern Europe DANOVA, MILITSA,DANIELOVA How to cite: DANOVA, MILITSA,DANIELOVA (2011) Roma as a Unique Cultural Minority: the Impact of Communism and Democratisation on Roma in Eastern Europe, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/875/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Militsa Danielova Danova Roma as a Unique Cultural Minority: the Impact of Communism and Democratisation on Roma in Eastern Europe This thesis examines the socio-economic situation of Roma in three Eastern European countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. It observes that the governments of these three countries, to varying degrees, have failed to develop effective policies for improving the marginal situation of the Roma minority.
    [Show full text]
  • 3, Pirotska Street, 2 Floor, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; Tel: +359884906901
    ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURAL INTERACTION Address: 3, Pirotska street, 2nd floor, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; Tel: +359884906901 ; e-mail: [email protected] 2012 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (Warsaw, October 2, 2012) Background document to: Working session XII-XIII (Rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including: Address by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities;National minorities; Preventing aggressive nationalism, racism and chauvinism) The rights and circumstances of the Turks in Bulgaria After the Liberation of Bulgaria, a process of consolidation of the Muslim-Turkish minority began within the Turkish population that remained within the boundaries of the Third Bulgarian State during the second half of XIX century. The minority rights of the Muslim community were proved on the grounds of some international and bilateral agreements such as the Berlin Treaty (1878), the Istanbul Protocol (1909), the Peace Treaty of 1913, which were signed between Bulgaria and Turkey and these rights were strengthened as well by the Bulgarian legislation, especially the Tarnovo Constitution. They defined the basic civil, cultural and religious rights. Under these new conditions the Turkish-Muslim minority started to create its cultural and religious institutions, thanks to which it preserved and developed its identity. Above all things, the religious and educational institutions were restored and expanded. They began to adopt in time Bulgaria as their motherland and felt members of the state. They show consideration to its culture, values and traditions. Towards the mid 40-ies of XX century a new period began in the history of the Bulgarian nation as well as in the history of the Muslim minority that was the period of the totalitarian regime over the Muslim minority which dominated the idea for the ethic clearing and the assimilation trends.
    [Show full text]
  • Institute of Philisophy and Sociology at Bas (Ips-Bas)
    INSTITUTE OF PHILISOPHY AND SOCIOLOGY AT BAS (IPS-BAS) Social Theories, Strategies and Prognoses Department ANI DIMITROVA DIMITROVA THE INSTITUTION PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA 1992 -2017 (Problems and Prospects) ABSTRACT of the dissertation for obtaining the educational and scientific degree "PhD" in the scientific specialty 2.3. "Philosophy" (Philosophy of Politics) Scientific consultant: Prof. DSc Ivan Katsarski Sofia, 2020 CONTENTS I. General characteristics of the dissertation 1. Relevance of the problems ………………………………………………………. 4 2. Main thesis, object and subject of the dissertation description ………………. 4 3. Purpose and main tasks of all this ……….......…………………………………. 5 4. Content Methods ……………………………………………………...…………...6 5. Degree and development of the problem ……………………………………….. 7 6. Volume and structure of the exhibition ………………………………………… 8 Content of dissertation Introduction …………………………………………………………………………. 9 Chapter One: Head of State Institute. Characteristics and varieties …………… 9 Chapter Two: The Head of State Institute in Bulgaria. Background …………………………………………………………..…………………………..... 15 Chapter Three: Philosophy of the President's Powers …………………………… 20 Chapter Four: Implementing the philosophy at stake in the Presidential Institution ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Chapter Five - Prospects for the Institute President ……………………………. 27 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………….. 30 ANSWERS TO THE TITLARS FROM THE DISSERTATION WORK QUESTIONS Summary of an interview with President Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev …………………… 32 Summary of
    [Show full text]
  • The Muslim-Turkish Minority in Bulgaria
    BULGARIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS The Human Rights of Muslims in Bulgaria in Law and Politics since 1878 Sofia November 2003 Contents: Brief Introductory Chapter: 1. Demographic data 2. Origins of the Bulgarian Muslims 2.1. Turks 2.2. Bulgarian-speaking Muslims (Pomaks) 2.3. Roma Muslims Chapter I: The Muslim community in post-Ottoman Bulgaria (1878 - 1944) 1.1. Religious rights 1.2. Immigration and assimilation problems 1.3. Muslim minority education 1.4. Muslim (Turkish) minority press 1.5. The impact of Kemalism on the rights of the Muslims in Bulgaria Chapter II: The Muslim community during the Communist era (1944 - 1989) and the first years of democracy in Bulgaria 2.1. The politics towards Muslims in the period 1944-1956 2.1.1. Legal basis of Muslims’ religious freedoms 2.1.2. Development of Muslim minority education 2.1.3. Immigration inclinations among Muslims and their consequences 2.2. The treatment of Muslims between 1956 and 1984 2.2.1. Limiting the religious freedoms and launching a policy of forced assimilation of Muslims 2.2.2. Renewed immigration waves 2.2.3. New forced assimilation of Pomak Muslims 2.2.4. Preparing the soil for the assimilation of the Turks and the Roma Muslims 2.3. The situation of the Bulgarian Muslims during the last years of the Communist regime (1984-1989) 2.3.1. The “Revival Process” in its apogee 2.3.2. The international reaction to the “Revival Process” 2.3.3. The “Big Excursion” phenomenon Chapter III: Protection of Muslims’ basic rights and freedoms in present day Bulgaria 3.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Judicial Law-Making in European Constitutional Courts; First Edition
    5 The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria as a law-maker Martin Belov and Aleksandar Tsekov 1 Legal status of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria Both the Constitutional Court (CC) and constitutional control are among the great novelties introduced by the 1991 Constitution. Until 1991, neither cen- tralized control for constitutionality concentrated in the Supreme Court, CC or constitutional council, nor diffuse control for constitutionality accomplished by all courts, existed in the Bulgarian constitutional order. There have been some sug- gestions in legal theory for the establishment of constitutional control during the Tarnovo Constitution (1879–1947), but they remained isolated opinions. Thus, the provision of control for constitutionality became possible only after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In fact, it became not only possible, but even inevitable, due to several reasons. First, all Central and Eastern European states have adopted a centralized model for constitutional control structured around the CC. The Bulgarian constitutional legislator joined this common trend. Indeed, the 1991 Bulgarian Constitution was the first entirely new post-communist constitu- tion adopted in Central and Eastern Europe. However, the trend in favour of the establishment of centralized control for constitutionality accomplished by a CC was already visible. Second, this type of control for constitutionality was already well established in most of the Western and Southern European countries. This is particularly true for Italy whose model has been chosen as the main prototype for shaping the Bulgarian CC. Third, the founding fathers and mothers of the 1991 Constitution were generally aware of the fact that control for constitutionality is a cornerstone of the principle of rule of law, which they enshrined in the constitu- tional axiology of the current Bulgarian Constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • Nominalia of the Bulgarian Rulers an Essay by Ilia Curto Pelle
    Nominalia of the Bulgarian rulers An essay by Ilia Curto Pelle Bulgaria is a country with a rich history, spanning over a millennium and a half. However, most Bulgarians are unaware of their origins. To be honest, the quantity of information involved can be overwhelming, but once someone becomes invested in it, he or she can witness a tale of the rise and fall, steppe khans and Christian emperors, saints and murderers of the three Bulgarian Empires. As delving deep in the history of Bulgaria would take volumes upon volumes of work, in this essay I have tried simply to create a list of all Bulgarian rulers we know about by using different sources. So, let’s get to it. Despite there being many theories for the origin of the Bulgars, the only one that can show a historical document supporting it is the Hunnic one. This document is the Nominalia of the Bulgarian khans, dating back to the 8th or 9th century, which mentions Avitohol/Attila the Hun as the first Bulgarian khan. However, it is not clear when the Bulgars first joined the Hunnic Empire. It is for this reason that all the Hunnic rulers we know about will also be included in this list as khans of the Bulgars. The rulers of the Bulgars and Bulgaria carry the titles of khan, knyaz, emir, elteber, president, and tsar. This list recognizes as rulers those people, who were either crowned as any of the above, were declared as such by the people, despite not having an official coronation, or had any possession of historical Bulgarian lands (in modern day Bulgaria, southern Romania, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and northern Greece), while being of royal descent or a part of the royal family.
    [Show full text]
  • Brief History of Muslim Community in Bulgaria and Their Problems
    BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN BULGARIA AND THEIR PROBLEMS The topic of the side-event: Acts of violence by far–right political partiy ‘Ataka’ against Muslims during the Friday prayer in the Sofia mosque After the Liberation of Bulgaria, a process of consolidation of the Muslim- Turkish minority began within the Turkish population that remained within the boundaries of the Third Bulgarian State during the second half of XIX century. The minority rights of the Muslim community were proved on the grounds of some international and bilateral agreements such as the Berlin Treaty (1878), the Istanbul Protocol (1909), the Peace Treaty of 1913, which were signed between Bulgaria and Turkey and these rights were strengthened as well by the Bulgarian legislation, especially the Tarnovo Constitution. They defined the basic civil, cultural and religious rights. Under these new conditions the Turkish-Muslim minority started to create its cultural and religious institutions, thanks to which it preserved and developed its identity. Above all things, the religious and educational institutions were restored and expanded. They began to adopt in time Bulgaria as their motherland and felt members of the state. They show coinsideration to its culture, values and traditions. Towards the mid 40-ies of XX century a new period began in the history of the Bulgarian nation as well as in the history of the Muslim minority that was the period of the totalitarian regime over the Muslim minority which dominated the idea for the ethic hygiene and the assimilation trends. From the beginning of the 60s, the regime introduced a drastic change in its policy to the minorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Theorising Return Migration
    ROBERT SCHUMAN CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES TOLERANCE AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY DISCOURSES IN BULGARIA Marko Hajdinjak and Maya Kosseva with Antonina Zhelyazkova International Center for Minority Studies and Intercultural Relations (IMIR) Sofia, Bulgaria 2012/21 5. New Knowledge Country Synthesis Reports EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE, FLORENCE ROBERT SCHUMAN CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES TOLERANCE AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY DISCOURSES IN BULGARIA Marko Hajdinjak and Maya Kosseva (with contribution of Antonina Zhelyazkova) IMIR Work Package 5 – New Knowledge on Tolerance and Cultural Diversity in Europe D5.1 Country Synthesis Reports on Tolerance and Cultural diversity - Concepts and Practices © 2012 Marko Hajdinjak, Maya Kosseva, Antonina Zhelyazkova This text may be downloaded only for personal research purposes. Additional reproduction for other purposes, whether in hard copies or electronically, requires the consent of the author(s), editor(s). If cited or quoted, reference should be made to the full name of the author(s), editor(s), the title, the research project, the year and the publisher. Published by the European University Institute Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Via dei Roccettini 9 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole - Italy ACCEPT PLURALISM Research Project, Tolerance, Pluralism and Social Cohesion: Responding to the Challenges of the 21st Century in Europe European Commission, DG Research Seventh Framework Programme Social Sciences and Humanities grant agreement no. 243837 www.accept-pluralism.eu www.eui.eu/RSCAS/ Available from the EUI institutional repository CADMUS cadmus.eui.eu Tolerance, Pluralism and Social Cohesion: Responding to the Challenges of the 21st Century in Europe (ACCEPT PLURALISM) ACCEPT PLURALISM is a Research Project, funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Program.
    [Show full text]