Country Information

Bulgaria is a country in South Eastern Europe, with a territory of 110,994 square kilometres. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. Bulgaria is a unitary parliamentary republic with a clear division of powers.

The Bulgarian Parliament - The National Assembly is a one-chamber parliament. Parliament's powers and tasks include adopting laws, controlling the executive, approving the budget, scheduling presidential elections, electing and recalling the prime minister and other ministers, proclaiming war, deploying troops outside Bulgaria, and ratifying international treaties and agreements. Since 2006, the National Assembly has elected an ombudsman who advocates the rights and freedoms of citizens.

The President of the Republic is elected directly for a 5-year term. He/she is the head of state, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board. 

The Government of Bulgaria (the Council of Ministers) manages and implements the domestic and foreign policies of the country. The Council of Ministers directs the implementation of the state budget, organises the care for public goods, concludes, approves and denounces international agreements, in cases defined by laws. The Council of Ministers and the Prime minister are appointed by the Parliament.

Bulgaria has a typical civil law legal system. The judiciary is overseen by the Ministry of Justice. The Supreme Administrative Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation are the highest courts of appeal and oversee the application of laws in subordinate courts. The Supreme Judicial Council manages the system and appoints judges. 

Bulgaria's population is mainly concentrated in the administrative centres of its 28 provinces. Most commercial and cultural activities are centred in the capital and largest city, Sofia.