Vote on the second reading of the changes to the Electoral Code, preparing up to 20 sections in countries outside the EU

The deputies are expected to vote on the second reading in the plenary hall on the changes to the Electoral Code.

The amendments were surprisingly introduced at the end of last month by "Vazrazhdane". They provide for limiting the number of voting sections in countries outside the European Union to 20. It is planned that they will be opened in compliance with established requirements for the number of applications submitted by voters. The Legal Committee adopted these texts. The PP-DB, DPS-New Beginning, APS, MECH and "Velicie" voted against. The Commission also did not approve the proposal of MECH from the list with the restriction to exclude the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada and Northern Ireland.

According to the texts approved by the Commission, the creation of a "abroad" electoral district is not being introduced for the time being, but is being postponed until at least 2028. The proposal of "Continuing the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" for 100% machine voting and other variants of machine voting were not accepted. The ideas for electronic reporting, centralized counting or strengthening the role of scanning devices also did not pass at this stage.

The Parliament is also expected to introduce new protection for craft and industrial products with the second reading of the Trademarks and Geographical Indications Act. The Patent Office is designated as the national competent authority. New public registers for producers, control bodies and temporary national protection will also be maintained.

The bill to support agricultural producers is being considered by the parliamentary agricultural committee. According to industry organizations, it must be adopted urgently because it provides for changes that will contribute to the sustainable development of the sector.

The bill was submitted by the Council of Ministers at the end of January. On the eve of its first reading in the relevant committee, the industry chamber "Fruits and Vegetables" sent an open letter to the chairwoman of the committee, Tsveta Karayancheva, and representatives of all parties, urging that the bills be adopted without delay. According to the industry, the creation and maintenance of digital geographic data for areas with perennial crops and greenhouses, as well as the inventory of existing areas, will allow for a clear distinction between real and fictitious producers and more effective support for the real ones, rather than the so-called "subsidy farmers".

Farmers also approve the creation of a Mutual Fund as a risk management tool in the event of adverse climatic events. This tool will be financed by deducting 1.5% of direct payments, annual contributions from farmers and national co-financing. According to gardeners, at least in the first years of the fund, it is not right to require additional contributions beyond the deductions from subsidies.

Farmers also support the planned easing of the administrative burden during campaigns over the next two years by submitting applications for support without a qualified electronic signature.