Parliament rejects President Iliana Iotova’s first veto

With the votes of GERB–SDS, “Vazrazhdane,” part of “BSP – United Left” and “There Is Such a People” (ITN), the National Assembly overrode President Iliana Iotova’s veto on the amendments to the Election Code, which limit the number of polling stations in non-EU countries. 123 MPs voted in favor and 89 MPs voted against.

• President Iotova vetoes amendments capping polling stations outside EU

• Bulgarians abroad oppose cut to polling stations outside EU

The amendment allowing the opening of up to 20 polling stations outside embassies and consulates—mainly affecting Bulgarians living in Turkiye, the United States, and the United Kingdom—was contested earlier this month by President Iliana Iotova. She vetoed the amendments, arguing that the restriction violates the constitutional principle of equality.

The Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (APS) announced that they will challenge the parliament’s decision before the Constitutional Court.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov