According to lawyers, there is no such recipe in the constitution
The youngest in the “Change” – the Social Democrats, write an amendment, the partners so far evasive. Opposition and local authorities perplexed
How many mandates are needed for a mayor to do everything he promised his fellow citizens, and where to put the limit so that he does not become a local feudal lord?
The topic is periodically launched on the eve of local elections. A year and a half before those in 2023, it was unexpectedly raised by the only party that is represented in parliament, but there is not a single MP – the Social Democrats. It is one of the formations that registered its “Continuing Change” together with the Burgas “Middle European Class” and VOLT of Nastimir Ananiev.
This will limit opportunities for corruption and corporate voting, especially in smaller municipalities, where we see mayors running for several consecutive terms, without it being clear why they are elected permanently – whether because they run well on behalf of the people or for other reasons “, explained to” 24 hours “the leader of the Social Democratic Party Elena Noneva, who is a lawyer from Stara Zagora. Earlier in the day, she announced the PDS’s intention
to submit a bill to parliament by mid-March
to limit the mandates of mayors and councilors to two.
In the softer version, after a break, they will have the right to be elected again, and in the harder version – no, Noneva explained to BNR.
The amendment will be introduced through the Law on Local Government and Local Administration, she told 24 Chasa. According to the lawyer, there are no changes in the constitution. According to her, this is an initiative of the Social Democrats, but they had support in the coalition for change.
The idea has already been discussed in a discussion with teachers of constitutional law. Deputies from all parties of the ruling coalition were invited, but
BSP and ITN did not send representatives
However, Atanas Slavov of the DB, who is deputy chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, suggested that the discussion continue in parliament.
“A mandate for public office is a good idea. It is a cure for a pandemic disease, such as corruption and vote-buying, but it may not be a therapy to prevent the underlying disease, “they said. According to the people of Kiril Petkov and Asen Vassilev, a full analysis of the various elective positions should be made – in addition to mayors and municipal councilors, the list may include
to include others
officials on a mandated basis. After the bill is submitted to the National Assembly, it will be considered in due course, said the group of “Change”.
At this stage, the Association of Municipalities does not want to comment on the proposal of the small coalition partner of the ruling party.
In the constitution, representative bodies such as the National Assembly and mayors have freedom of mandate, however, commented Assoc. Prof. Natalia Kiselova, a professor of constitutional law at Sofia University. There is a constitutional limit for the president – up to two terms.
Even if such a change in the law is adopted, it will continue to operate, explained Assoc. Prof. Kiselova.
“Obviously the government does not find opportunities to nominate candidates to oppose successful mayors, and
they think that with such elementary moves they would have some success “,
Desislava Atanasova, the head of GERB’s PG, commented to “24 Chasa”. She warned that if the Electoral Code for this amendment is reopened, the party will demand that everyone be given the opportunity to choose whether to vote by machine or by ballot.
Meanwhile, her colleagues Kostadin Angelov and Dimitar Nikolov were at a reception with citizens in Lyaskovets, where locals announced they were ready to organize a subscription to return the paper ballot, the party said.
There are much more pressing topics on the public agenda, GERB believes and reminds that the country has not yet adopted a budget, recovery plan and decisions on compensation for electricity prices.
The idea of a limit on the number of mayoral mandates was last launched by Tatiana Doncheva in 2015, again with the motive of limiting corruption. Then, however, the topic was raised in the context of media investigations into the properties of mayors such as Haskovo’s former Georgi Ivanov and the scandals of “feudalization” of entire municipalities and districts.
“In general, between 8 and 10 years is the limit when a person has a thrill for what he does. From there, he enters a routine that is not useful for work, but for corruption … “, says the leader of” Movement 21 “.
The record holder among the mayors of municipalities in our country is Vladimir Moskov, who has ruled Gotse Delchev since 1995 – 7th term.
In the regional cities Zlatko Zhivkov is the leader as mayor of Montana – sixth term. And his colleague in Kardzhali Hassan Azis holds the local government for 5 consecutive terms.
So much at the head of Simitli is Apostol Apostolov, called by all in the municipality of Poli. The 59-year-old economist and father of GERB MP Stefan Apostolov (who is fighting on the preferences of leader Boyko Borissov) since 2015 is the only candidate for mayor there, behind him stand simultaneously GERB, BSP, UDF and others.
Yavor Govedarov has been the governor of the Smolyan village of Tarun since 1985 – a total of 13 terms. Thus, he excels in terms of experience as manager Todor Zhivkov. Elected successively by all major political forces, most recently by GERB. Similar is the achievement of the record holder in the last local elections in 2019 – the mayor of the Haskovo village of Bryagovo, who
won the 14th
Mario Markov has been a village governor for another term since 1976 and has not worked since. “I confess, it hurt me a lot!” He said 3 years ago, when he first had to go to the runoff because of a difference of 1 vote.
Vladimir Moskov, Mayor of Gotse Delchev 7th term:
We have the strongest control – from the people who elect us directly
I do not think that the problem with corrupt practices in our country is in the local government. The lack of mandate of mayors and municipal councilors is not the most serious problem in the country and I have no explanation why such ideas are given. There are enough control bodies to check, and if there are any violations or crimes – to investigate and remove from office. I have not heard of the mandate of local authorities in other EU countries.
Mayors and councilors are elected directly by the local people and the turnout in local elections is the highest. At the same time, they are under the most direct control of their constituents. If they don’t like their management, they won’t be elected in 4 years. Such a proposal needs to be widely discussed, including with the NAMRB. At the same time, there are not that many mayors who hold many mandates in a row. One should not rush into making such a decision so that it does not turn out to be wrong. There should be no opinion that mayors and advisers are the bad, the corrupt and they are probably the problem of the state.
–
