President Rumen Radev refers the matter to the Constitutional Court over Natalia Kiselova's refusal to submit for discussion in the National Assembly her proposed referendum on the adoption of the euro in 2026. This was reported by the press center of the head of state.
Radev asks the Constitutional Court to provide a mandatory interpretation of the Constitution and to declare null and void the refusal of the Speaker of the National Assembly to submit for consideration by the Parliament the proposal for a national referendum with the question "Do you agree that Bulgaria should introduce the single European currency "euro" in 2026?"
In his reasons, the President emphasizes that the implementation of the powers of the constitutional bodies in the procedures for conducting a national referendum should ensure a balance between direct and representative democracy. In his words, this is the only way to achieve the constitutional goal of guaranteeing the participation of citizens in state power.
The Head of State believes that only the mandatory interpretation of the constitutional provisions related to the powers of the National Assembly and its President in the implementation of the forms of direct democracy will ensure their clear and consistent application. The President points out that the Parliament should issue a decision based on Art. 84, item 5 of the Constitution both in the hypothesis when it makes a decision to hold a national referendum and when it does not accept a proposal submitted by a constitutional body authorized by law.
Radev notes that no one else can pronounce on this issue instead of the National Assembly. The Basic Law does not tolerate a tacit waiver of the authority of the National Assembly to pronounce on a proposal to hold a national referendum. The opposite would mean a waiver of parliamentary government, he believes.
The Head of State is of the opinion that the order of the Speaker of the National Assembly with its content and de facto ruling on the merits of the issue at hand usurps constitutionally established powers of the National Assembly. According to him, it blocks the development of a normatively regulated procedure, creates uncertainty and limits the exercise of the right of citizens to direct participation in state power, which makes it incompatible with the legal order and procedural logic.
For this reason, on the basis of Art. 22, para. 3 of the Constitutional Court Act, the President addresses the Constitutional Court with a request to declare the order issued by the Speaker of the National Assembly null and void.
We recall that on May 9, 2025, Radev announced that he would initiate a referendum on the adoption of the euro from 2026. His proposal caused mixed reactions. Velichie, Vazrazhdane and MECH supported the president. GERB, BSP, DPS Novo Nachola declared themselves categorically against it. ITN expressed a position in support of the euro, but supported the idea of conducting a referendum to the people. The Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova rejected Radev's proposal and did not allow it to be considered in the plenary hall.