Bulgaria’s National Assembly overrode President Radev’s veto on amendments to the Judicial System Act. 131 MPs voted in favor, 47 MPs voted against and 6 MPs abstained. The Bulgarian Socialist Party and “Vazrazhdane” voted against and “There is Such a People” abstained. The amending law revises the system of a random selection of a judge to investigate the prosecutor general and extends by 6 months the deadline for selecting a new Supreme Judicial Council.

The National Assembly adopted at first reading two bills to amend the Penal Code, introducing increased penalties for bodily harm following the recent cases of domestic violence.

The National Assembly definitively adopted the amendments to the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act. The range of people covered by the law is expanded to include those in an intimate relationship lasting at least 60 days.