Premier Engages with MPs over State’s Role in Church Registration Dispute
In a significant parliamentary development today, Premier Dimitar Glavchev served as the executive under scrutiny, addressing lawmakers about delicate matters surrounding the registration of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Rite Church and the government’s steps to safeguard state and public interests at the Strasbourg Court and the Supreme Cassation Court.
Earlier, MP Veselin Vechev from the "Revival" party voluntarily surrendered his parliamentary immunity, a decision formally announced by Parliament’s Chairperson, Natalia Kiselova.
Glavchev requested to present his arguments before the legislature, joined by Director of the "Faith" Directorate at the Council of Ministers, Georgi Krustev, who attended the session to participate and express his stance.
The Premier acknowledged the tricky position of the executive in light of independent judicial decisions, even as the Church maintains a unique and protected role in Sofia’s constitution and religious freedoms legislation. The Bulgarian Orthodox Old Rite Church boasts approximately 2000-3000 adherents spread across various Bulgarian cities and towns.
A Brief History of the Ongoing Church Dispute
The Old Rite Church was first registered in 2009, but following a legal battle, operates separately from the iconic Bulgarian Orthodox Church. In 2011, the Old Rite Church attempted to register as an independent entity with the Sofia City Court, a bid ultimately unsuccessful due to a lack of required supporting documents and discrepancies in the church’s leadership structure.
In 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria had violated the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion by rejecting the Old Rite Church’s registration attempt. The court advised Bulgaria to take individual and general measures to rectify its decision.
In December 2024, the Old Rite Church again attempted to register, but faced a rejection due to inadequate documentation.
Legislative Reforms to Avert Future Disputes
Minister of Justice Maria Pavlova disclosed that the government intends to amend the Religious Denominations Act to prevent future conflicts. She revealed that the government has consistently advocated for these changes since 2022, after receiving recommendations from the Committee of Ministers and the European Court of Human Rights. The Ministry is currently drafting the proposed amendments.
Meanwhile, Parliament has held a first reading of three draft amendments to the Religious Denominations Act, tabled by the political parties Revival, GERB-SDS, and BSP-United Students. The proposed reforms aim to prevent the registration of any religious entity using the term ‘Bulgarian Orthodox’ to avoid confusion with the traditional Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Budget Law Extension and Other Agenda Items
Lawmakers also discussed the extension of the state budget law, akin to an interim budget permitting continued state operations in the absence of a formal adopted budget for the new year. This maneuver ensures the disbursement of salaries, pensions, and other social benefits.
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