Under the Constitution, Bulgaria is a republic with a parliamentary government. All state power originates with the people. It shall be exercised by the people directly and through the state authorities.
The President of Bulgaria is the Head of State of the Republic of Bulgaria, who is both the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Army. He is directly elected by the Bulgarian citizens for a term of 5 years, with the possibility of re-election once.
As a state governed by the rule of law, Bulgaria is governed by the Constitution, which is the supreme law, and by its laws, which may not contradict it.
State power is organised into legislative, executive, and judicial bodies.
Legislative authority
The National Assembly, as the sole legislative body, exercises legislative power and parliamentary control. It is made up of parliamentary groups and independent deputies, is elected for a term of four years, and consists of 240 deputies. All Bulgarian citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote for parties, coalitions, and independent candidates.
The functions and powers of the National Assembly are expressed in the adoption of laws, decisions, and declarations, including the ratification of international treaties. Activities are also organised in permanent and temporary parliamentary committees of which the deputies are members, one of them is the Committee on Education and Science.
Executive authority
Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, which is led by the Prime Minister and consists of Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. The National Assembly elects the Prime Minister and, on his or her proposal, selects the members of the Council of Ministers.
The Prime Minister directs, coordinates, and is responsible for the general policy of the Government. The Council of Ministers directs and implements the country's domestic and foreign policy under the Constitution and laws.
In the implementation of the laws, the Council of Ministers adopts decrees, orders, and decisions. The Council of Ministers also adopts decrees and regulations. Ministers in turn issue regulations, ordinances, instructions, and orders.
There are 28 regional districts. These are administrative-territorial units for the implementation of regional policy, for the exercise of local government, and for ensuring consistency between national and local interests. The administration of the region is carried out by a regional governor who is appointed by the Council of Ministers.
As a unitary state with local self-government, the territory of Bulgaria is divided into municipalities. The municipality is the basic administrative-territorial unit in which local self-government is implemented. The body of local self-government in the municipality is the municipal council, which is elected by the population of the municipality for a term of four years. The mayor is the executive authority in the municipality who is elected by the population or by the municipal council for a term of four years.