Bulgaria territory area. Summer holidays in Bulgaria

The history of Bulgaria goes back thousands of years and begins its countdown in the distant Neolithic era, when nomadic agricultural tribes moved here from the territory of Asia Minor. In the course of its history, Bulgaria more than once became a coveted trophy of conquering neighbors and visited the Thracian Odrysian kingdom, Greek Macedonia, was included in the Roman Empire, and later in Byzantium, and in the 15th century. conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Having experienced invasions, wars, conquests, Bulgaria, nevertheless, managed to revive, finding its own nation and gaining cultural and historical self-determination.

Odrysian kingdom
By the 6th c. BC e. The territory of Bulgaria was the outskirts of Ancient Greece, stretching along the Black Sea coast. For several centuries, on the basis of the Indo-European tribes who came from the north, a tribe of Thracians was formed here, from whom Bulgaria received its first name - Thrace (Bulgarian Thrace). Over time, the Thracians became the main population in this territory and formed their own state - the Odrysian kingdom, which united Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece and Turkey. The kingdom became the largest urban conglomerate in Europe at that time. The cities founded by the Thracians - Serdika (modern Sofia), Eumolpiada (modern Plovdiv) - still have not lost their significance. The Thracians were an extremely developed and rich civilization, the tools and household items they created were ahead of their time in many ways (skillful metal blades, exquisite gold jewelry, four-wheeled chariots, etc.). Many mythical creatures passed to the neighbors of the Greeks from the Thracians - the god Dionysus, the princess Europe, the hero Orpheus, etc. But in 341 BC. weakened by colonial wars, the Odrysian kingdom fell under the influence of Macedonia, and in 46 AD. became part of the Roman Empire and later, in 365, Byzantium.
First Bulgarian kingdom
The first Bulgarian kingdom arose in 681 with the arrival of the Asian nomads of the Bulgars on the territory of Thrace, who were forced to leave the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia under the onslaught of the Khazars. The resulting alliance between the local Slavic population and the nomads proved to be very successful in campaigns against Byzantium and made it possible to expand the Bulgarian kingdom by the 9th century, including Macedonia and Albania. The Bulgarian kingdom became the first Slavic state in history, and in 863 the brothers Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic alphabet - Cyrillic. The adoption of Christianity by Tsar Boris in 865 made it possible to erase the boundaries between the Slavs and the Bulgars and create a single ethnic group - the Bulgarians.
Second Bulgarian Kingdom
From 1018 to 1186, the Bulgarian kingdom was again under the rule of Byzantium, and only the uprising of Asen, Peter and Kaloyan in 1187 allowed part of Bulgaria to secede. This is how the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed, which lasted until 1396. Constant raids on the Balkan Peninsula by the Ottoman Empire, which began as early as 1352, led to the fall of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which ceased to exist as an independent state for five long centuries.

Ottoman domination
As a result of the five hundred years of the Ottoman yoke, Bulgaria was completely ruined, the population decreased, and cities were destroyed. Already in the 15th century. all Bulgarian authorities ceased to exist, and the church lost its independence and became subordinate to the Patriarch of Constantinople.
The local Christian population was deprived of all rights and subjected to discrimination. Thus, Christians were forced to pay more taxes, did not have the right to carry weapons, every fifth son in the family was forced to serve in the Ottoman army. The Bulgarians raised uprisings more than once, wanting to stop the violence and oppression of Christians, but they were all brutally suppressed.

Bulgarian National Revival
In the 17th century the influence of the Ottoman Empire is weakening, and the country actually falls into anarchy: power is concentrated in the hands of the kurjali gangs that terrorized the country. At this time, the national movement revived, interest in the historical self-awareness of the Bulgarian people increased, a literary language was being formed, interest in their own culture was being revived, the first schools, theaters appeared, newspapers in the Bulgarian language began to be printed, etc.
Princely semi-independence
Princely rule arose after the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule as a result of the defeat of Turkey in the war with Russia (1877 - 1878) and the country's independence in 1878. In honor of this key event in the history of Bulgaria, a majestic temple was erected in the capital of Sofia in 1908 Alexander Nevsky, which has become the hallmark of not only the city, but the entire state.
According to the Treaty of San Stefano, Bulgaria was granted the vast territory of the Balkan Peninsula, which included Macedonia and northern Greece. However, under pressure from the West, instead of gaining independence, Bulgaria received broad autonomy within the Ottoman Empire and a monarchical form of government headed by the German prince Alexander, the nephew of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. Nevertheless, Bulgaria managed to reunite, as a result of which the country gained Eastern Rumelia, part of Thrace and access to the Aegean Sea. But in this composition, Bulgaria was able to exist for a short 5 years (1913-1918), after the defeat in the First World War, the country lost most of its territory.

Third Bulgarian kingdom
The third Bulgarian kingdom covers the period from 1918 to 1946. Despite the agreement signed in 1937 on "unbreakable peace and sincere and eternal friendship" with Yugoslavia, during the Second World War Bulgaria chooses Germany as its ally and introduces its troops into the territory of a neighboring country, thus supporting the German intervention. Tsar Boris's attempt to change course was unsuccessful. After his premature death, his 6-year-old son Simeon II, who later fled to Spain, takes the throne. In 1944, Soviet troops entered Bulgaria, and already in 1944-1945. the Bulgarian army begins to conduct military operations against Germany and its allies as part of the Soviet armed forces. The further political course of Bulgaria was predetermined, in 1944 power passes to the communists under the leadership of Todor Zhivkov. In 1946, as a result of a referendum, the monarchy was liquidated, and Bulgaria proclaimed itself a republic headed by a prime minister.

Communist Bulgaria
During the communist regime, Bulgaria achieved high results in the development and modernization of industry, industrialization and collectivization of agriculture, which made it possible not only to provide the country with jobs, the latest technology, various goods and food products, but also to become a major exporter. The main consumer of Bulgarian exports was, of course, the USSR. Thus, industrial and textile goods, agricultural products, various canned food, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages (cognac, beer) and the first computers were actively supplied to the Soviet republics, and Bulgarian resorts became a popular vacation spot for Soviet citizens. However, in 1989, the wave of perestroika also reached Bulgaria, and after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the communist system was overthrown, and the permanent 78-year-old leader of the Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov, was sent under arrest and later stood trial on charges of corruption and bribery.

Modern Bulgaria
Modern Bulgaria has taken a course towards the West and European integration. Thus, on March 29, 2004, the country joined NATO, and on January 1, 2007, the European Union. Carrying out a comprehensive modernization, every year Bulgaria becomes more and more attractive for foreign tourists, a popular destination for summer and winter holidays. The widespread construction of new hotels, the development of infrastructure, the improvement of the quality of service and the diversification of services have allowed Bulgaria to repeatedly increase the tourist flow.
Today, the resorts of the country are modern complexes for a comfortable and fulfilling vacation - an excellent hotel base, a variety of excursion routes, entertainment for every taste, alternative forms of tourism and much more. Attractive prices, low compared to other European resorts, make holidays here affordable for a wide range of tourists - from youth companies to families with children, while luxurious 5 * hotels meet the requirements of the most demanding guests.
Despite the fact that Bulgaria is more associated with a beach holiday, the country has amazing opportunities for winter tourism. Excellent ski resorts - Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo - fascinate with the beauty of the surrounding nature, modern tracks for both amateurs and professionals, excellent opportunities for the smallest fans of ski sports, as well as for those who prefer snowboarding to skiing.
And if you still don't feel confident enough, experienced instructors are at your service. They will not only teach you all the necessary skills and abilities in a short time, but will also offer you communication in your native language. The absence of a language barrier, the commonality of cultures and Orthodox traditions make visiting the resorts of Bulgaria even more enjoyable, come and see for yourself!

The current Bulgarian legislation provides for the following types of commercial enterprises.
1. Collective society (collective friendship - SD);
2. Command partnership (Command partnership - KD);
3. Limited Liability Company (Friendship with Limited Excuses - OOD);
4. Joint-stock company (Joint-Stock Friendship - AD);
5. Command partnership with shares (Command partnership with shares - KDA);
6. Private entrepreneur (Single trader - ET).

All of them, with the exception of ET, are legal entities. Their founders may be Bulgarian or foreign individuals and legal entities. All companies must be entered in the commercial register by decision of the district court at the location of the company (for Sofia - in the Sofia City Court). The decision of the court must be published in the official state newspaper "Darzhaven Vestnik".

In terms of taxation, all enterprises are equal. It is also mandatory to register with the tax service, the statistical office and the pension fund.

COLLECTIVE SOCIETY(Subiratelno friendship - SD). The SD is a typical representative of personal societies, which, as a rule, are created by co-founders who know each other well. In personal societies, the members of the firm are united by personal labor. Their number must be at least two, they bear joint and several and unlimited liability for the obligations of the company, including liability with personal property (without non-sequesterable property - housing, labor remuneration, etc.). The relationship between the founders is determined by the constituent agreement. They are obliged to personally participate in the activities of the SD. The minimum authorized capital of the company is not defined by law, therefore this form is suitable for persons with small funds and when the company's activities do not involve the assumption of large obligations. Each co-founder has the right to manage the company. But without the consent of the other co-founders, he cannot participate in other companies or enter into transactions related to the subject of activity of this company.

LIMITED COMPANY(Team friendship - CD). Unlike the Board of Directors, in this company, one or more co-founders bear joint and several and unlimited liability for the obligations of the company, and the rest - only in the amount of the agreed contribution to the authorized capital. The company is managed and represented by an unlimitedly responsible co-founder. Limitedly liable co-founders do not have the right to manage the enterprise and to suspend decisions taken by unlimitedly liable co-founders. Otherwise, the CD corresponds to the CD.

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY(Friendship with Limited Excuses - OOD). The most suitable form of activity for small and medium-sized capital. It combines elements of personal and capital companies, but is ranked among the latter due to the fact that the minimum amount of the authorized capital is limited - 5000 levs. OODs have become widespread in Bulgaria due to the benefits they provide.
Unlike the Board of Directors, OOD does not require the personal participation of co-founders in the activities of the company, and they risk only the amounts contributed to the authorized capital. At the same time, OOD differs from a joint-stock company (another form of capital company) by a simplified registration procedure, less publicity of the results of its activities and a small amount of the minimum authorized capital.

By the time of filing documents for registration, at least 70% of the total amount must be paid into the authorized capital of the company, the rest - within one year. The share of one co-founder in the authorized capital cannot be less than 10 levs. The number of founders is unlimited. One or more co-founders or a specially appointed person who is not a founder is allowed to manage and represent the company. There are no restrictions on the number of participants, and there are no restrictions on the participation of foreign capital.

The number of founders can be changed even after the registration of the company, i.e. founders can be withdrawn from the firm or new ones introduced. All changes in the constituent documents must be registered in court. The founder of the OOD can be an individual or a legal entity. In this case, it will be referred to as "Private LLC" (Solely friendship with limited excuses - EOOD). The founder of the EOOD can personally manage and represent the company or appoint another person. Otherwise, EOOD corresponds to OOD.

All founders of the LLC must participate in the general meeting of founders, the frequency of which, according to Bulgarian law, is at least once a year, starting from the date of registration of the company in Bulgaria. The powers of the general meeting of founders extend to:
- adoption of the charter and amendments to it;
- approval of the annual financial report;
- Appointment of the General Director;
- distribution of profit after taxes, after changes in the authorized capital.

The company is managed by the General Director, appointed by the decision of the general meeting of founders, initially - as part of the procedure for registering a company in Bulgaria. The CEO has the right to represent the interests of the company based on the provisions of its articles of association. At the same time, the registration of a company in Bulgaria requires the registration of the name of the General Director in the Commercial Register.

The main advantages that registration of a company in Bulgaria in the form of an LLC can give:
- the minimum possible amount of authorized capital;
- before starting the registration of a company in Bulgaria, only 70% of the authorized capital is required to be paid;
- an audit is mandatory only if there are special requirements related to the type of company's activity (banking, insurance, etc.);
- there is no need to form and maintain reserve funds both at the time of registration of a company in Bulgaria and subsequently;
- limited liability of founders.

JOINT-STOCK COMPANY(Joint-stock friendship - AD). AD is a typical capital society in which the participants are united only by capital. The authorized capital is divided into equal parts (shares). The shareholder participates in the company solely through his shares: he is not obliged to make any personal efforts. In addition, at any time he can sell his shares. The minimum capital of AD must be BGN 50,000. (according to the nominal value of shares), in case of formation of a company through subscription - 100,000 levs. Shares must be registered with the Central Depository. AD is managed by the general meeting and the board of directors (board of directors).

LIMITED COMPANY WITH SHARES(Team friendship with the action - KDA). The KDA is formed by an agreement between limitedly liable and unlimitedly liable founders. There must be at least three limitedly liable co-founders and they are issued shares in the amount of their contributions to the authorized capital. The founders of the company are unlimitedly responsible co-founders, they also convene the constituent assembly. In the general meeting, only limitedly responsible co-founders have the right to vote, the board of directors also consists only of them. In all other respects, the KDA corresponds to a joint-stock company.

SELF EMPLOYED(The sole trader - ET). ET is an individual. Established by a Bulgarian citizen or a foreigner who has permanent residence status in Bulgaria. One person can register as ET only one company. The minimum authorized capital of the company is not defined by law. The founder is responsible for the obligations of the company and is liable with his personal property. ET participates with the same property in both civil and commercial transactions. ET is recommended for individuals at the beginning of their business activities and when the activities of the company do not involve the assumption of large obligations. The name of the company must contain without abbreviation the name and surname of the founder.

List of documents of the parent company opening a representative office in the Republic of Bulgaria.
- Charter of the company - a copy;
- Memorandum of association of the company - a copy;
- Actual certificate of the tax service - a notarized copy;
- Registration certificate of the company (notarized);
- Statistics - copy;
- Minutes of the founders' meeting (on the opening of a representative office in the Republic of Bulgaria);
- Order of the director of the company on the appointment of a "director by law" of the representative office (with passport data);
- A copy of a valid international passport of the future "Director of Law";
- A power of attorney (notarized) from the director of the company to an authorized person in Bulgaria who will carry out activities on the territory of Bulgaria;
- A power of attorney from the future "director of law" of the representative office in Bulgaria to carry out actions for hiring an office, housing, etc.
Prepared and duly certified documents should be sent by express mail (DHL, EMS, FEDEX or similar).
After receiving all the documents and their translation into Bulgarian, the company's representative office in Bulgaria is registered. The term - minimum 30 days, maximum 60 days - depends on the terms of issuing the company's plastic card in BULSTAT.

Company registration costs. This whole sequence of operations, as a rule, takes about 1 month.

It is important to note that immediately after receiving the court decision, the countdown begins for registrations in subsequent State. Organizations. Missing the deadlines threatens with fines from 50 to 500 levs.

Registration costs for foreigners, as a rule, in the amount of 800 euros. When foreigners purchase expensive real estate (worth more than 100,000 Euros), intermediary firms interested in selling often offer free services to create a legal entity. The procedure for registering a company can take about 1 month.

Republic of Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in the southeast of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. In the north it borders with Romania, in the west - with Serbia and Macedonia, in the south - with Greece and Turkey. In the east it is washed by the Black Sea.

The country was named after the ethnonym of the people - the Bulgarians.

Capital

Square

Population

8210 thousand people

Administrative division

Consists of 8 areas which include communities. The city of Sofia also has the status of a region.

Form of government

Parliamentary republic.

head of state

President elected for a term of 5 years.

supreme legislative body

Unicameral People's Assembly.

Plovdiv, Varna, Rousse, Burgas.

Official language

Bulgarian.

Religion

85% are Orthodox, 13% are Muslims.

Ethnic composition

87% - Bulgarians, 9% - Turks, 2.5% - Gypsies, 2.5% - Macedonians.

Currency

Lev = 100 stotinka.

Climate

Continental, transitional to the Mediterranean. The average annual temperature is + 13°С. The air temperature in January reaches zero. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - in the plains is from + 23 °С to + 25 °С. Precipitation in the lowlands falls in the amount of 500-600 mm per year, in the mountains - 1000-1200 mm per year. The entire country from west to east is crossed by the Balkan Mountains, where vertical climatic zonality is clearly visible. The highest point is Mount Musala (2925 m).

Flora

Forests occupy up to 30% of the territory of Bulgaria. Here there are oak, hornbeam, beech, elm, ash, pine, spruce, fir.

Fauna

Deer, fallow deer, roe deer, chamois, wild boar live in the forests, wolf, fox, hare, ferret, badger, ground squirrel live in the mountains. A large number of birds. Reptiles are common in the south of the country. In the Black Sea they catch mackerel, flounder, in the Danube - stellate sturgeon, pike perch, carp.
Rivers and lakes. Rivers Danube, Iskar, Maritsa.

Attractions

Monument of the Russian-Bulgarian Brotherhood in Arms on the Shipka Pass, a basilica in Nessebar, a round church in Preslav, a large basilica in Pliska, churches of Peter and Paul in Veliko Tarnovo - a reserve town, a monastery of the 10th century. in Rila, a monastery, a mosque and a minaret in Plovdiv, the Cathedral of St. George, the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the 19th century, erected in honor of Russian soldiers who gave their lives for liberation from the Turkish yoke, the Jamia Mosque, the Boyana Church, the archaeological museum .

Useful information for tourists

In the warm season, in addition to windsurfing, water skiing and sailing, scuba diving and catamarans, rowing and all kinds of regattas are at guests' disposal. In spring and autumn, some luxury hotels offer heated seawater pools. Long boat trips along the coast of Golden Sands have a magical attraction, especially for children.
Speed ​​limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h outside and 120 km/h on highways.

The official name is the Republic of Bulgaria (Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Bulgaria). Located in Southeast Europe. The area is 111 thousand km2. Population - 7.9 million people. (2002). The official language is Bulgarian. The capital is the city of Sofia (1.19 million people, 2002). Public Holiday. Day of liberation from the Ottoman yoke March 3 - Monetary unit - lion.

Member of the UN (since 1955), IMF (since 1990), WTO (since 1996), Central European Free Trade Agreement (since 1999), official candidate for EU membership, has the status of an invited member of NATO.

Sights of Bulgaria

Geography of Bulgaria

It is located in the northeast of the Balkan Peninsula between 44°13' and 41°14' north latitude, 22°22' and 28°36' east longitude. The total length of the state border is 2245 km, incl. 686 km river and 378 km sea. In the north, Bulgaria borders on Romania, in the south - on Turkey and Greece, in the west - on Macedonia and Serbia, the eastern part of Bulgaria is washed by the Black Sea.

The natural conditions of Bulgaria are quite diverse. OK. 30% of its territory is occupied by mountain ranges and approximately 70% by flat and hilly lands. In the middle part of the country from west to east stretches Stara Planina (Balkan Mountains) with the highest peak named after. Hristo Boteva (2376 m). Mountain ranges rise in the south and south-west of the country: Rila (the highest peak in the Balkans, Musala - 2925 m), Pirin (Vihren - 2914 m), Rhodopes.

Bulgaria has relatively many rivers, but only the Danube is navigable. The rivers - Iskar, Tundzha, Maritsa, Yantra, etc. - are shallow and are used as a source of electricity and irrigation.

In the north is the most extensive Danubian hilly plain. In southern Bulgaria lies the fertile Thracian plain. The capital Sofia is located in the Great Sophia Basin. The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria is predominantly low with an extensive beach strip.

The features of the relief and climate in different regions determined the diversity of soil cover and vegetation. On the Danube Plain, soils are predominantly chernozem and gray forest podzolized; south of Stara Planina, brown and dense chernozems predominate; mountainous regions are characterized mainly by brown forest and mountain-meadow soils.

OK. 1/3 (3.9 million hectares in 1987) of the country's territory is occupied by forests, of which approximately 2/3 is deciduous (beech, oak, hornbeam, etc.) and 1/3 is coniferous (spruce, pine, fir). ).

Of the minerals, lead-zinc, copper and iron ores, brown and hard coal, table salt, kaolin, gypsum, marble, etc. are of the greatest importance. Bulgaria is rich in sources (about 500) of mineral waters with high healing properties.

The climate of the predominant part of Bulgaria is temperate continental. In the south, especially in the valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers, it is transitional to the Mediterranean. The average air temperature ranges from 11.8 to 13.2°C; minimum between 1.8 and 3°C; and the maximum is 23-25°C. The average annual rainfall is 650 mm. The beauty and diversity of nature, mild climate and extensive comfortable beaches attract numerous tourists to Bulgaria.

Population of Bulgaria

In 1965-85, there was a tendency towards population growth (respectively from 8.2 to 8.9 million people), which in the 1990s. changed to the opposite. To the beginning In 2002, the population decreased by 11% compared to 1985. The ethnic composition of the population is dominated by Bulgarians (approx. 84%, 2001). Of the other ethnic groups, the most numerous are Turks (9.5%) and Gypsies (4.6%). According to the data of the 2001 census, for 84.5% of the population the native language is Bulgarian, for 9.6% - Turkish, for 4% - Roma. The ratio of births and deaths in the 20th century. led to a downward trend in natural population growth, which, however, to the end. 1980s was positive. In 2001, the birth rate was 8.6‰, mortality - 14.1‰, infant mortality - 14.4 people. per 1000 newborns. In the 1990s natural growth became negative: -5.5‰ (2001). Average life expectancy (1998-2000) - 71.7 years, incl. men - 68.2, women - 75.3 years.

The population is aging. In the age structure, the proportion of young people (under 20 years old) decreased from 51.1% in 1900 to 21.8% in 2001, while the proportion of the elderly (60 years and older) increased from 8.4 to 22.5%. excess of the female population, to the beginning. 2002 men 48.7% of the population, women - 51.3%, 1053 women accounted for 1000 men. In the course of urbanization, the urban population rapidly increased, which accounted for 46.5% in 1965, and 69.3% by 2002. Bulgaria is gradually raising the retirement age. In 2003, subject to certain conditions, it was 57 years for women and 62 years for men. Educational level of the population: St. 52% over the age of 7 have higher and secondary education (2001).

The dominant religion is Orthodoxy, which is followed by approx. 82.6% of the population, 12.2% Muslim, 0.6% Catholic, 0.5% Protestant, 3.6% not self-determined (2001).

History of Bulgaria

The earliest settlements on the territory of present-day Bulgaria date back to the Paleolithic era. The oldest known population is the Thracian tribes. By the 1st century AD Thracian lands fell under the rule of the Roman Empire, and after its collapse in the 5th century. found themselves within the Byzantine Empire. Gradually, the Thracians were assimilated by the Slavs, who in the 6th century. began to massively settle on the Balkan Peninsula. In the 7th century Proto-Bulgarians of Turkic origin invaded the northeastern part of present-day Bulgaria under the leadership of Khan Asparuh. In alliance with the Slavs, their struggle against Byzantium was crowned with success. In 681, Byzantium recognized the formation of the Bulgarian state, headed by Khan Asparuh, and Pliska was chosen as the capital.

At 8 and early. 9th century the territory of the state was significantly expanded. In 864, Christianity was adopted as the official religion. In the 2nd floor. 9th c. brothers Cyril (Konstantin the Philosopher) and Methodius, the creators of the Slavic alphabet, spread Slavic writing. During the time of Tsar Simeon (893-927), the most prominent of the rulers of the First Bulgarian Kingdom, new territorial acquisitions pushed the borders of the state to the shores of the Aegean Sea. The independence of the Bulgarian Church from the Patriarch of Constantinople was proclaimed. Introduced Slavic writing. Bulgarian became the official state, church and literary language. Under the heirs of Simeon, however, internal strife arose, which weakened the country. After long wars with Byzantium, Bulgaria in 1018 again fell under its rule.

In 1186 an uprising led by the brothers Peter and Asen led to the formation of a new Bulgarian state known as the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1186-1396). Its capital was Tarnovo. However, internal strife led to Ser. 14th c. to the division of the country into two kingdoms: Vidin and Tarnovo. Feudal fragmentation weakened Bulgaria. In 1396, it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, under whose yoke it was for almost five centuries.

All this time, the Bulgarian people resisted the enslavers and managed to preserve their identity and culture. From the beginning 18th century the national liberation movement began to gain strength, which at first was educational, and later acquired the character of a revolutionary one. Raising the level of organization of the national liberation struggle and substantiating the revolutionary path is closely connected with the name of the writer and publicist, figure of education G. Rakovsky (1821-67). Among the prominent figures of the national liberation movement, its ideologists, strategists and organizers were also national heroes V. Levskiy, L. Karavelov, H. Botev. The apogee of the national liberation struggle was the April Uprising of 1876, which was brutally suppressed.

As a result of the victory of the Russian army in the war with Turkey (1877-78), the Bulgarian state was restored, but by decision of the Berlin Congress (1878), Bulgaria was divided into three parts: the principality of Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria and the Sofia region); Eastern Rumelia (Southern Bulgaria - an autonomous region, vassal of Turkey) and Thrace with Macedonia, which remained within the Ottoman Empire. In 1885 the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia united. In 1887 Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1887-1918) became Prince of Bulgaria. In 1908, Bulgaria finally freed itself from vassal dependence on Turkey, and Prince Ferdinand was proclaimed Tsar of the Bulgarians.

Bulgaria with Greece, Serbia and Montenegro participated in the 1st Balkan War (1912) against Turkey for the freedom of Thrace and Macedonia. However, the contradictions between the former allies over the division of the liberated territories led to the 2nd Inter-Allied Balkan War (1913), in which Bulgaria was defeated and lost not only the lands acquired as a result of the 1st Balkan War, but also part of the former territories, losing the South Dobruja Romania. Serbia and Greece divided almost all of Macedonia among themselves. Bulgaria was left with the Pirin region and Western Thrace, which gave access to the Aegean Sea.

Participation in World War I on the side of Germany had grave consequences for the country. According to the Treaty of Neuilly (1919), Bulgaria lost its western outskirts and Western Thrace. Southern Dobruja, which was actually included within Bulgaria during the war, was again lost and passed to Romania. In 1918 Tsar Ferdinand abdicated in favor of his son Boris III (1918-43). In August 1943, after the sudden death of Tsar Boris, the young Simeon II became his successor, under whom a regency was created.

During World War II, Bulgaria collaborated with Nazi Germany and its allies. On September 5, 1944, the USSR declared war on Bulgaria, and on September 8, Soviet troops crossed the Bulgarian border. This contributed to the activation of the political forces that fought against fascism and rallied around the Fatherland Front (OF). On September 9, 1944, the government of the PF was formed, headed by K. Georgiev. In 1946, a referendum was held on the form of government, following which Bulgaria was proclaimed a People's Republic (September 15, 1946). After that, Tsar Simeon, the Queen Mother and Princess Marie-Louise left the country.

On November 22, 1946, a new government of the PF was formed, headed by G. Dimitrov. On February 10, 1947, at the Paris Peace Conference, a peace treaty was signed with Bulgaria, which confirmed the national independence and territorial integrity of the country, the annexation of Southern Dobruja, transferred to Bulgaria by Romania in 1940. After the death of G. Dimitrov (1949), the government was successively headed by V. Kolarov, V. Chervenkov, A. Yugov. In March 1954, T. Zhivkov became the head of the Communist Party, in 1962-71 he was simultaneously chairman of the Council of Ministers, in July 1971 he was elected chairman of the State Council of the country. Zhivkov remained party leader and head of state until his resignation on November 10, 1989.

In the course of the course pursued by the Communist Party towards building socialism, a party-state political system took shape, political parties outside the Fatherland Front ceased to exist. A high degree of nationalization of property was allowed. Accelerated industrialization was carried out with an emphasis on the priority development of engineering, oriented to export to the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, primarily in the USSR.

Since November 1989, the countdown of democratic transformations, the systemic transformation of society in Bulgaria, begins. In June 1990, elections were held for the Great People's Assembly, which adopted a new Constitution that came into force in July 1991.

State structure and political system of Bulgaria

According to the Constitution (1991), Bulgaria is a republic with parliamentary government, a single state with local self-government. Autonomous territorial formations are not allowed in Bulgaria. Its territorial integrity is inviolable. Political life is based on the principle of political pluralism.

The economy, according to the Constitution, must be based on free economic initiative. The right of ownership and inheritance is guaranteed and protected by law. The property is private and public. Private property is inviolable.

In administrative terms, Bulgaria is divided into 28 regions, incl. the capital Sofia (with the rights of the region). The largest cities: Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse.

The highest body of legislative power is the unicameral People's Assembly (Parliament). It consists of 240 deputies who are elected for 4 years on the basis of a proportional system. Parliamentary elections are based on the principles of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The right to participate in elections is granted to all Bulgarian citizens upon reaching the age of 18, and any citizen of the country who does not have another citizenship and has reached the age of 21 can be elected. Parties and coalitions that receive at least 4% of the total number of votes cast have the right to participate in the distribution of mandates at the national level. People's representatives, as noted in the Constitution, represent not only their constituents, but the whole people. Parliament elects a chairman, temporary and permanent commissions. Chairman of the National Assembly (2002) - Ognyan Gerdzhikov. Elections to the current People's Assembly of the 39th convocation were held on June 17, 2001. It consists of: 120 representatives of the National Movement "Simeon II" (NDV); 51 deputies from the United Democratic Forces (UDF) coalition; 48 - from the coalition "For Bulgaria"; 21 - from the coalition "Movement for Rights and Freedoms" (DPS).

The main body of executive power is the Council of Ministers (Government), which is headed by the Prime Minister. The government is elected by the parliament on the proposal of the prime minister, who is instructed in the prescribed manner to form the government by the president. Under the leadership of the government, the domestic and foreign policy of the state is carried out, public order and national security are ensured. The Council of Ministers exercises general management of the state administration and the Armed Forces, and the execution of the state budget. The activity of the government is directly controlled by the Parliament.

The Prime Minister directs and is responsible for the general policy of the Cabinet. Members of the government may not engage in activities incompatible with the position of people's representative. Civil servants must be guided only by the law and be politically neutral.

On July 24, 2001, the People's Assembly approved Simeon of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the representative of the largest parliamentary group of the NDSV, as prime minister.

Simeon of Sakskoburggotsky (born in 1937) is the son of the Bulgarian Tsar Boris III. In 1946, after a referendum declaring Bulgaria a republic, he left the country. From 1951 he lived in Spain. Studied law and political sciences.

The head of state is the president. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, personifies the unity of the nation and represents the country in international relations. The President is directly elected for a term of 5 years and no more than two mandates. More than half of the voters must participate in the voting. A candidate who receives more than half of the valid votes is considered elected.

The President appoints and dismisses the senior command staff of the Armed Forces. He chairs the National Security Advisory Board. The President is given the power to declare war, martial law or a state of emergency when the People's Assembly is not in session.

The President sets the date for elections to the People's Assembly and to local self-government bodies. It determines the date of the national referendum when the People's Assembly decides to hold it.

After consulting with parliamentary groups, the president instructs the candidate for prime minister nominated by the largest parliamentary group to form a government.

A Bulgarian citizen over 40 years of age who was born in Bulgaria, meets the conditions for election as a people's representative and has lived in the country for the last 5 years can be elected President. The President cannot be a deputy, engage in other state, public and economic activities, participate in the leadership of a political party.

The first popularly elected president was Zhelyu Zhelev (1992), who was succeeded by Pyotr Stoyanov (1996). They were elected as candidates of the Union of Democratic Forces. In the November 2001 presidential election, Georgi Parvanov, the former leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, was elected president.

The main administrative-territorial unit is a community with a self-governing body, a community council. It adopts annual budgets and community development plans. The functions of executive power in the community are carried out by the committee. A region is a larger administrative-territorial unit, headed by a government-appointed regional manager with his own administration. Thus, regional state policy is carried out and a combination of national and local interests is ensured.

The Bulgarian constitution guarantees the freedom to form political parties. At the same time, none of them can be declared or approved as a state one. The formation of parties on an ethnic, racial or religious basis, as well as parties whose goal is the violent seizure of power, is not allowed. According to the law on political parties (2001), a party can be formed by Bulgarian citizens who have the right to vote, and for its registration in court, it is necessary to provide a constituent act, a charter and a list of at least 500 founding members. The multi-party system is in the process of becoming. In 2001, there were more than 250 parties in Bulgaria, most of which are small and, according to established standards, cannot independently participate in elections.

In Bulgaria, until 2001, there was basically a bipolar model of the political space, where the two largest formations fought: the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) (the successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party) and the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS). The BSP, being the most numerous and organized force on the left side of the political spectrum, was not homogeneous, which affected the pace of the formation of a new image of the party. Until 1997, the SDS, as the core of the organized opposition to the left flank, was a coalition of parties, movements and associations of various ideological and political views, from conservative to center-right. In the parliamentary elections (April 1997), the SDS already acted as a political party.

In the elections of June 17, 2001, more than three dozen parties and coalitions applied for deputy mandates. As a result, the following most influential political forces ended up in parliament. The victorious NDSV, created shortly before the elections. In 2002, it was transformed into a party, in the program declaration of which it was noted that it would be both conservative and liberal, and would have a social orientation. The defeated former ruling centre-right party SDF is the core of the United Democratic Forces (UDF) coalition. The coalition "For Bulgaria", in which left and center-left movements united around the largest Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). In these elections, the BSP received the lowest result in the 1990s. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), whose electorate is represented mainly by the national minority - ethnic Turks.

Trade unions at the sectoral and national levels take an active part in the public life of the country. The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB) and the Podkrepa Labor Confederation play an important role in building social partnership. Among the leading organizations of business circles are the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Union of Employers of Bulgaria, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.

During 1991-2001, parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria 4 times, and twice ahead of schedule. During the same time (until July 2001) 7 governments were replaced (including two service ones). Only the government headed by the former SDF leader I. Kostov (1997-2001) used its mandate in full. As a rule, the change of cabinets took place in the wake of dissatisfaction with the results of socio-economic policy, due to insufficient consideration of the social tolerance of radical measures, the involvement of managers in corruption.

In the beginning. 1990s in the conditions of broad liberalization of economic life, the main emphasis was placed on achieving macroeconomic stabilization by reducing consumer and investment demand. This, it was believed, should have been accompanied by systemic transformations and the formation of a market infrastructure. The restitution of alienated property was carried out, the return of land to the former owners began. However, the reform of the economy was late. In the 2nd floor. 1990s after the crisis of the banking system, it was restructured. In 1997-99, the privatization process accelerated and is nearing completion. In 2000-02, problems of economic growth come to the fore, administrative reform begins, and attention to the fight against corruption increases. In October 2002, the European Commission recognized Bulgaria as a country with a functioning market economy, noting a number of serious shortcomings, which will require great efforts to eliminate. A difficult modernization and increase in the competitiveness of the economy lies ahead.

In foreign policy, a course was taken for a "return" to Europe. Bulgaria's main priority is integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. In 1995 Bulgaria became an associate member of the EU, in December 1999 it was accepted as a candidate for EU membership. In December 2002, at a meeting of EU leaders in Copenhagen, it was announced that Bulgaria, subject to further fulfillment of the membership criteria, could become a member of the EU in 2007.

In November 2002 Bulgaria received an invitation to join NATO (2004). Bulgaria pays great attention to the Balkan regional cooperation within the framework of the Stability Pact in South-Eastern Europe project.

The Republic of Bulgaria has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in July 1934). In 2002-03 there was a revival and prospects for deepening friendly relations and partnership between the Russian Federation and Bulgaria, and expanding trade and economic cooperation between them.

Economy of Bulgaria

In the 1990s in the process of social transformation there was a deep economic recession. The reasons for this are related to the inherited energy and import-intensive production, the loss of traditional sales markets, the difficulties of reorienting foreign trade relations to Western markets, where Bulgarian goods were not competitive enough. The limited domestic demand and increased competition for imported goods also had a negative impact on the capabilities of local producers. There were also miscalculations in management decisions that provide methods, rules and conditions for economic transformations. Despite the growth of the economy in 1998-2002, the volume of GDP remains below the pre-reform level. GDP in 2001 was 13.6 billion dollars, per capita - 1718 dollars. Calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity, per capita GDP amounted to 24% of the average for EU countries.

In the 1990s the number of people employed in the economy decreased by almost 1/4. Economically active population in 2002 - 3248 thousand people. (48.4% of the total population over 15 years old), of which 2,704 thousand are employed, 544 thousand are unemployed. (16.8% of the workforce). Unemployment has become chronic. In 1991, "shock therapy" was carried out in Bulgaria, consumer prices increased 5.7 times. The second strong burst of inflation occurred during the crisis of the financial and banking system in con. 1996 - early 1997. During 1996-2002, average annual consumer prices increased 39 times.

In the 1990s under the influence of demand in the domestic and foreign markets, as well as investment opportunities, there have been noticeable shifts in the sectoral structure of the economy. The fastest growing employment was in the service sector - 46.5% of the employed (2002). The industrial sector - 27.9%, agriculture - 25.6%. The main part of the employed (approx. 3/4) is concentrated in the private sector. In 2002, the service sector accounted for 52.7% of GDP, industry - 24.5%, agriculture - 11.0%.

Industry in Bulgaria in the 1990s experienced a deep structural crisis. In 2000-02 there were signs of growth. The volume of industrial production in 2002 increased by 0.6% (however, it was 20% lower than in 1995), incl. in extractive industries - by 24%, in manufacturing - by 23%. Capacity utilization - approximately 60% (late 2002).

OK. 80% of products are produced in the manufacturing industry, approx. 5% - in mining and 15% - in enterprises for the production and supply of electricity and heat, gas, water.

The largest share (ca. 18% in 2001) belongs to the production of food, beverages and tobacco products, which was traditionally developed in Bulgaria. An important place belongs to metallurgy and the production of metal products (more than 10% of gross output). Non-ferrous metallurgy, using local raw materials, is developing relatively successfully. Petroleum products, soda ash, mineral fertilizers are produced. The share of mechanical engineering - approx. ten%. In 2002, the production of radio-television equipment and means of communication, electronic computers and office equipment increased.

Bulgaria has favorable natural and climatic conditions for the development of agriculture. In the 1990s an agrarian reform was carried out, during which the land was returned to the former owners and their heirs, which led to the emergence of significant small and fragmented private ownership of land. This created serious problems for efficient land use and management. The deterioration of the material and technical security of agriculture, the reduction in investment, the loss of traditional foreign markets for agricultural products limited the realization of the potential of the industry. The dynamics of its production was unstable, and the volume in 2002 was 12% lower than in 1990. Almost all production is produced in the private sector. Crop and livestock production contribute almost equally to production (approximately 47% each), approx. 6% of agricultural products are production services.

The development of agriculture is defined as one of the priority areas of the economy. The government intends to bring agricultural policy in line with the EU common agricultural policy, create conditions for the consolidation of plots and more efficient use of land, promote the development of the market and market infrastructure.

Bulgaria's transport infrastructure is developing as an integral part of the pan-European transport network to become a transport bridge between Western and Central Europe and the countries of the Middle East, Western and Central Asia. The length of railway tracks is 6.4 thousand km, incl. 4.3 thousand km operated, of which 2/3 are electrified. The total length of the national road network is 37.3 thousand km. Maritime transport has 86 cargo ships, which serve the bulk of the foreign trade turnover. Seaports - Varna and Burgas. Bulgaria has four international airports. In 2002, 111.8 million tons of cargo were transported, incl. 16.5% by rail, 51.7% by road, 14% by sea and 16% by pipeline. In serving the population, a decisive role belongs to motor transport, which carries 2/3 of all passengers.

Favorable natural and climatic conditions create prerequisites for tourism, the development of which is recognized as one of the priorities. In 1999-2002 the number of foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria increased from 2.0 million to 2.99 million people. Tourist activity is carried out mainly by private business, which owns 96% of the property in this area. The largest number of tourists comes from Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Greece, Great Britain and Germany. The introduction of a visa regime with Russia by Bulgaria (October 1, 2001) was accompanied by a decrease in the number of Russian tourists. In 2002 there were 24% less than in 2001.

The main directions of modern socio-economic policy are the focus on increasing the income of the population, reducing poverty and unemployment. The basis for this should be sustainable economic growth while strengthening macroeconomic stability. A course has been taken to accelerate structural reform, complete privatization and create a fully functioning competitive market economy.

In 2001-02, the macroeconomic situation in the country was relatively stable. GDP growth in 2001 - 4.1%, in 2002 - 4.8%. The inflation rate is 4.8 and 3.8%, respectively. The stabilization of the macroeconomics to a certain extent was facilitated by the mechanism of the currency board (in force since 1997), which is supposed to be maintained until joining the EU. A fixed exchange rate of the lev, pegged to the euro, has been established, the issue of central bank money is due to the increase in its foreign exchange reserves. Their size increased from 3.5 billion in 2000 to 3.58 billion in 2001 and 4.75 billion dollars in con. 2002. The functions of the central bank to refinance commercial banks were practically terminated; it can provide them with a loan only if the stability of the banking system is threatened. It does not have the authority to lend to the state, except for lending on SDRs. Most commercial banks have been privatized. As a rule, foreign investors became the owners of privatized banks. In 2002, there were signs of more active lending to the real sector of the economy. In connection with the conditions of the IMF and the desire to ensure EU norms, the focus on reducing the budget deficit became tougher, which in the 1990s. was chronic and covered mainly by external and internal borrowing. In 2001-02, the deficit of the consolidated state budget decreased (from 1.1% of GDP in 2000 to 0.9% in 2001 and 0.7% in 2002), and privatization revenues became the main source of its coverage. Changes in tax policy are aimed at strengthening the balance of the budget. Its concept is based on the need to evenly distribute the tax burden, stimulate business, reduce direct taxes and expand the tax base. Balancing current external payments and servicing the accumulated external debt remains an important problem. In con. 2002 external debt-gross amounted to 10.93 billion dollars (70.5% of GDP), incl. long-term debt accounted for 85.7% of the debt, and short-term - 14.3%; $1.29 billion, or 8.3% of GDP, was spent on servicing external debt.

In the course of reforming the economy, property was redistributed, real social transfers from the state were reduced, the previous model of stratification collapsed, a significant part of the population became impoverished, and property differentiation intensified. In 2000, real incomes per family member were 1/5 lower than in 1995. Real wages also remained lower than in 1995.

The development of foreign economic relations is one of the decisive factors in the dynamism of the Bulgarian economy. The volume of foreign trade turnover (2001) reaches 90% of GDP. Import provides approx. 2/3 internal power consumption.

In 2002, Bulgaria's foreign trade turnover amounted to 13.38 billion dollars, incl. exports - 5.58 billion, and imports - 7.8 billion dollars. This year, exports for the first time exceeded the level of 1995. One of the most acute problems of the Bulgarian economy is a chronic deficit in foreign trade. Orientation to the West and the loss of the traditional market of the former USSR determined the geographical structure of foreign trade. The predominant part (65.6%) of its turnover in 2002 was in the OECD countries, incl. 52.6% - to the EU. They sold 72.6 and 55.8% of exports, respectively, and their share in imports was 60.6 and 50.3%. The Russian Federation accounted for only 1.6% of all Bulgarian exports and 14.7% of imports (supplying mainly energy resources).

Science and culture of Bulgaria

The liberation from the Ottoman yoke opened up opportunities for the development of public education, science, and national culture. In the beginning. 20th century such centers of scientific research as the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN, 1911) and Sofia University (1904) were formed. Large state libraries have been established in Sofia and Plovdiv. In 1961 the Academy of Agricultural Sciences was founded, later renamed the Agricultural Academy (ASA). The Medical Academy was established in 1972.

In con. 20th century 447 organizations were engaged in research activities in Bulgaria. About half of them (46.4%) are state budget-funded scientific departments of the BAN, SSA and ministries. The main direction of their activity is fundamental research. Universities and scientific departments at universities are oriented towards scientific and applied developments, and branch institutes provide the predominant part of experimental developments. In the beginning. 2002 there were 22.3 thousand scientists in the country. The problems and difficulties of socio-economic development had a negative impact on the financial support of scientific research. If in 1989 2.4% of GDP was allocated for science (and each percentage was equal to 217.8 million dollars), then in 2000 0.52% of GDP was spent (the percentage is 126 million dollars). The average salary in science is lower than the national average. Bulgaria has a relatively high share (2/3 in 2001) of state participation in science spending, while industry covers no more than 30%.

In recent years, the importance of external funding through participation in international scientific programs has increased. In 2000, this provided 5.3% of the total funds for science (in 1996 - 0.25%). In the 20th century the level of education of the population was continuously raised. Since 1966, compulsory basic (8 years) education has been introduced for children between the ages of 7 and 16. Secondary education provides instruction in general education schools or in vocational schools, technical schools, and vocational gymnasiums. Specialists with higher education are trained in colleges, universities and specialized institutes. There is a process of harmonization of the regulatory framework for education and science with the current one in the EU.

In 2000, in total, St. 3.5 thousand educational institutions and studied approx. 1.3 million students. Specialists with higher education were trained by 48 colleges and 42 universities and specialized institutes. Since 1992, private educational institutions have appeared. More than 1/10 of all students are currently studying in private universities. In Bulgaria, the level of education of the population is relatively high. Among those over 15 years of age, higher education had: bachelor's degree, master's degree - 9.8%; specialist - 2.3%; secondary vocational - 18%, secondary general - 26.6%, basic and lower - 43.3% (1998).

Despite the centuries-old foreign yoke, the Bulgarian people have retained their identity and culture. In con. 19 - beg. 20th century cultural centers such as the National Library, the Ivan Vazov People's Theater, and the Bulgarian Opera House arose. Folk clubs-reading rooms (chitalishta), which arose during the Ottoman rule, became original centers of culture.

There are currently 80 theaters in Bulgaria, approx. 200 cinemas, St. 7 thousand libraries, approx. 3 thousand reading places. Quite dynamically, although with differences, publishing activity is developing. In 2000, more books and newspapers (by titles) were published than in 1989, but in a smaller circulation.

Bulgaria has contributed to the treasury of world culture, literature and art. The works and skill of many Bulgarian writers and poets (A. Konstantinov, E. Pelin, H. Smirnensky, El. Bagryana), artists (An. Mitov, Iv. Myrkvichka, V. Dimitrov-Maistor, D. Uzunov), composers (Iem Manolova, P. Vladigerova and others) have gained worldwide fame and recognition.

Bulgaria

Republic of Bulgaria

Square: 111 thousand sq. km

Administrative-territorial division: 28 regions (Sofia also has the status of a region)

Capital: Sofia

Official language: Bulgarian

Currency unit: a lion

Population: 7.5 million (2005)

Population density per sq. km: 67.5 people

Share of urban population: 70 %

Ethnic composition of the population: Bulgarians, Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Russians, etc.

Religion: dominated by Orthodox Christianity

The basis of the economy: agriculture and food industry

Employment: in the service sector - approx. 57%; in industry - approx. 32%; in agriculture - approx. eleven %

GDP:$61.6 billion (2004)

GDP per capita: 8.2 thousand USD

Form of government: unitarianism

Form of government: mixed republic (according to the Constitution - parliamentary)

Legislature: unicameral parliament

Head of State: the president Head of the government: Prime Minister

Party structures: multi-party system

Fundamentals of government

The history of Bulgaria spans several millennia, but the format of this book covers the present, therefore 1991 is named as the starting point of the new Bulgaria - the year of the adoption of the first constitution is no longer People's Republic of Bulgaria, existing since 1946, and democratic Republic of Bulgaria.

The Constitution, adopted by the Great People's Assembly, entered into force on July 13, 1991. It consists of a preamble, ten chapters, one hundred and sixty-nine articles, transitional and final provisions. Amendments to the Constitution are adopted by MPs in three readings, which cannot be held on the same day. Changing some of the provisions requires the convening of the Great People's Assembly.

The head of state is the president, who is assisted in his activities by the vice president. The president and vice president are elected on the same list directly by the people for a term of five years. One re-election is allowed. A citizen of Bulgaria by birth who has reached the age of forty and has lived in the country for the past five years can run for the presidency. A candidate who receives more than half of the valid votes is considered elected, provided that more than 50% of the voters took part in the elections. The President and his assistant cannot participate in the leadership of political parties. Impeachment of the president and vice president may be declared by deputies of parliament at the proposal of at least one-fourth of the list and provided that more than two-thirds of the people's representatives vote for this proposal. The final verdict is made by the Constitutional Court.

Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament People's Assembly, consisting of two hundred and forty people. Elections are based on party lists based on a proportional system. The term of office of deputies (in the Constitution they are called "people's representatives") is four years. There is an age limit for candidates for deputies - in order to be elected, one must reach twenty-one years. The duration of parliamentary sessions is not determined by the Constitution: it is indicated that the People's Assembly is a permanent body that itself sets the time of its work. To carry out legislative activity and parliamentary control, deputies elect permanent and temporary commissions from among their members. The People's Assembly and the Council of Ministers have the right to initiate legislation. Laws come into force after being signed and promulgated by the President.

The special body exercising legislative power is great assembly of the people, which is convened on the most important issues for the life of the state. Half of the deputies of the Great People's Assembly (400 people in total) are elected from single-member constituencies, the other half - from party lists based on a single-member system. The decision to hold elections for the Great People's Assembly is made by Parliament. The Constitution specifies that with the holding of the elections of the Great People's Assembly, the powers of the People's Assembly are terminated. Upon completion of the work of the SNC, the president announces new parliamentary elections.

The highest executive body is the government Council of Ministers. The government is headed by the Prime Minister, who is nominated by the largest parliamentary group. The government cabinet is formed by the Prime Minister. Only Bulgarian citizens can be members of the Council of Ministers. If a people's representative is elected minister, he terminates his parliamentary powers. Ministries, on the proposal of the Minister-Chairman, creates, reforms and abolishes the Parliament.

The regions are administered by governors appointed by the government.

In communities, the main administrative-territorial units of Bulgaria, the authorities are community councils, which are elected by the population for a term of four years. Executive power in the communities is exercised by administrative committees - kmets.

Judicial system

The judicial system in Bulgaria includes the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Administrative Court, appeal, district, military and district courts. Extraordinary courts are not permitted by the Constitution, but specialized courts may also be created by law.

Supreme Court of Cassation supervises all courts. It is within its competence to verify the legality of court decisions before they enter into force.

Supreme Administrative Court oversees the uniform and precise application of laws in administrative proceedings. He partially performs the duties of the Constitutional Court, resolving disputes about the legality of acts of the Council of Ministers and Ministers.

The President of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, as well as the Chief Prosecutor, are appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic on the proposal Supreme Judicial Council, a special disciplinary and personnel body consisting of twenty-five people.

Constitutional supervision is exercised Constitutional Court, which acts on the initiative of the President, the Parliament (at the request of at least forty-eight deputies), the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Administrative Court and the Chief Prosecutor.

Leading political parties

In socialist Bulgaria, the political life of society was determined by Bulgarian Communist Party(BKP), which grew out of Bulgarian Social Democratic Party(BSDP), founded in 1891, Bulgarian Agricultural People's Union(BZNS), established in 1899, and Fatherland Front, uniting organizations close to the BKP (exists since 1942). In 1990, an article that guaranteed the BKP a leading position in the state and society was excluded from the 1971 Constitution.

In accordance with the new Constitution, political life in Bulgaria is determined by pluralism. No political party can now be established as a state party. All created parties must contribute to the expression of the political will of citizens. The formation of political parties on an ethnic, racial or religious basis, as well as parties that pursue the goal of forcibly seizing state power, is not allowed.

In 1990, on the basis of the BKP, a Bulgarian Socialist Party(BSP), which has great support in society. It is currently the party of the parliamentary majority.

In opposition to the BSP is Union of Democratic Forces(SDP), which received the status of an independent party in 1997 (before that, since 1989, it acted as a bloc of democratic parties).

Among other pariahs and movements created in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it should be noted Movement for rights and freedoms(defends the interests of ethnic Turks), Bulgarian Social Democratic Party, National Movement in Support of Simeon II(Simeon II, the only son of the Bulgarian Tsar Boris III, was formally on the throne from 1943 to 1946, however, due to the minority of the monarch - in 1943 he was seven years old - the Regency Council performed the functions of the head of state; in 2001-2005 he was prime minister).

The BZNS still exists, which has been transformed into two organizations: Unified BZNS and BZNS - N. Petkov. Nikola Petkov was one of the leaders of the Agricultural Union in the early years of its existence. Consistently advocating democracy, he found himself in a confrontation with the communist authorities. In June 1947, Petkov was stripped of his parliamentary immunity, arrested, put on trial and sentenced to death by hanging. On September 23, 1947, the sentence would have been carried out. Rehabilitated in 1990

The president

Since January 2001 - Georgy Parvanov

Prime Minister

Since August 2005 - Sergey Stanishev (BSP)

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (BO) of the author TSB

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (VO) of the author TSB

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (NA) of the author TSB

From the book Aphorisms author Ermishin Oleg

From the book of the Secret Service of the Third Reich: Book 1 author Chuev Sergey Gennadievich

Bulgaria Hristo Botev (1848-1876), educator, publicist and poet I believe in the single common power of the human race on the globe to do good and in a single communist social order - the savior of all peoples from centuries of suffering and torment through fraternal labor, freedom

From the book Crossword Guide author Kolosova Svetlana

From the book Pistols and revolvers [Selection, design, operation author Pilyugin Vladimir Ilyich

From the book All Countries of the World author Varlamova Tatyana Konstantinovna

Arcus (Bulgaria, 1994) Fig. 12. Pistol Arcus 94Main performance characteristics: Pistol Arcus 94 was developed by the Bulgarian company "Arcus" and put into production in 1994. The pistol is an almost complete copy of the Browning High Power pistol, differing

From the book of the Special Services of the Russian Empire [Unique Encyclopedia] author Kolpakidi Alexander Ivanovich

Bulgaria Republic of Bulgaria Date of creation of an independent state: July 12, 1991 Area: 111 thousand square meters. km Administrative-territorial division: 28 regions (the city of Sofia also has the status of a region) Capital: Sofia Official language: Bulgarian Monetary unit: lev Population:

From the book Memo to citizens of the USSR traveling abroad author author unknown

From the book Abroad author Chuprinin Sergey Ivanovich

People's Republic of Bulgaria Consular section of the embassy: 28 Bulgaro-Soviet Friendship blvd., Sofia, tel. 66-88-19, 66-88-36, 66-57-31 (round the clock). Consulate General: Rusa, st. Nis, 1, tel. 50-23-81. Consulate General: Varna, st. Macedonia, 53 tel. 22-35-46

From the book Encyclopedia of Special Services the author Degtyarev Klim

BULGARIA Bulgaria has a stable reputation as a country closest to Russia in terms of historical roots, faith, language and culture. Nevertheless, there has never been any significant Russian diaspora here. And, with the rarest exceptions, Russian writers in