Parliament approves Bulgarian language bill at first reading

The National Assembly approved the Bulgarian Language Bill, submitted by the Vazrazhdane party, at first reading. It was unanimously passed with 153 votes in favour, while the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) did not take part in the vote. The deadline for submitting proposals between the first and second readings was extended to three weeks to allow for further refinement of the bill's provisions.

The bill provides for the establishment of an Advisory Council on the Bulgarian Language under the Council of Ministers, with expert and advisory functions. It will coordinate language policy, support efforts to preserve and develop the language, and report annually on the state of the linguistic environment. The Council will include representatives from academic and educational institutions. Similar legislation exists in countries such as France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, the bill's sponsors said.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov