Bulgaria’s Parliament Rejects Foreign Agents Registration Bill

The Bulgarian National Assembly rejected the Foreign Agents Registration Bill proposed by the nationalist Vazrazhdane party, with 38 votes in favor, 112 against, and 48 abstentions, CE Report quotes BTA

The bill sought to mandate the registration of individuals and organizations receiving foreign funding exceeding BGN 1,000, with a public electronic registry managed by the Justice Ministry. Vazrazhdane argued the law would enhance transparency, while critics likened it to Russian legislation used to suppress civil society.

The debate grew heated, with accusations of foreign influence, references to U.S. and Russian funding, and fiery exchanges between MPs. CC-DB, GERB-UDF, and MRF-New Beginning opposed the bill, while some BSP-United Left MPs supported it.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov labeled the rejection a victory for "foreign agents," while opponents called the bill an attack on democracy.