Bulgarian Parliament Rejects Proposal for Mandatory Alcohol and Drug Tests for MPs

In a narrow vote, Bulgaria’s Parliament has decided against implementing mandatory blood tests for alcohol and drug use among its members.

The proposal, initially backed by the Temporary Committee drafting the parliamentary rules, was put to a vote in the chamber on December 18, 2024, but failed to pass. The final tally showed 61 MPs in favor, 62 against, and 86 abstentions.

The idea of mandatory testing was proposed by the “There Is Such a People” (TISP) party, aiming to introduce blood tests for MPs at the beginning of each plenary session.

The tests would have checked for alcohol and drug use, with enforcement proposed either by the Speaker of Parliament or by a request from one-third of MPs if reasonable suspicion arose about a member’s behavior.

However, the proposal quickly encountered opposition from several groups, including GERB, WCC-DB, and others, who voted against it.

The proposal had initially been accepted by the Temporary Committee, with the notable exception of the WCC-DB group, but when it was brought to the chamber for approval, it was rejected without further debate.

Toshko Yordanov, the leader of TISP’s parliamentary group, expressed disappointment with the outcome, questioning why MPs should be exempt from the same standards that apply to ordinary Bulgarian citizens.

He emphasized that penalties for alcohol and drug use exist for the public, and MPs should not receive special treatment.

“There should be no immunity when it comes to the law,” Yordanov said, adding that the testing would only target substances like illegal drugs, not over-the-counter medications.

While the blood test proposal failed, the debate led to other changes in the parliamentary rules.

The sanctions for MPs who refused to undergo testing or tested positive were removed, but the proposal to introduce penalties for MPs who caused damage to parliamentary property was upheld.

MPs found responsible for damaging the parliamentary building could face suspension for up to three sessions.

Other amendments discussed included a proposal for MPs to seek opinions from the Supreme Judicial Council on draft laws related to the judiciary. This proposal was accepted, ensuring greater scrutiny of legislation concerning the judicial system.

Additionally, a new requirement was introduced, mandating proportionality assessments for legislation on regulated professions.

This was aimed at aligning Bulgaria’s practices with EU directives to prevent criminal proceedings against the country for non-compliance with European regulations.

The decision on these proposals was reached after an intense, seven-hour parliamentary session. Despite the lengthy deliberations, the session concluded with the adoption of the new parliamentary rules, marking the end of the procedure.

While the blood test proposal was a controversial issue, it highlighted ongoing concerns about accountability and transparency within Bulgaria’s political system.

The decision not to implement the tests means that the status quo remains, but with added scrutiny over legislative processes and potential reforms aimed at improving governance.