Liberal Changes in the Constitution

The original draft of the Organic Statute gave very few rights to the legislative body. Most of the legislative initiative—the power to propose new laws—was reserved for the Prince and the Government. Members of the National Assembly had little ability to create new laws or influence policy.

The Constituent Assembly played a key role in changing this. Many of the liberal institutions that now form part of the Bulgarian constitution were introduced by members of the Assembly. These changes were significant and gave the legislative body more independence and influence than originally planned.

Composition of the National Assembly

The draft gave the National Assembly more the character of a senate than a popular assembly. Not all members were to be elected by the people. Some were appointed by the Prince, while others were included by virtue of their office: the Exarch, bishops, and presidents of law courts all automatically became members Istanbul Tour Guide.

The State Council was another important institution proposed in the draft. Its responsibilities were:

Advising the Government in preparing bills.

Acting as the supreme administrative court.

Settling disputes between the judiciary and administrative organs.

Authorising extraordinary expenses and communal loans.

Approving expropriations for public utility.

Ensuring the observance of the constitution.

This made the State Council a powerful body, closely linked to the government.

The Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly that reviewed the draft had 231 members. Its composition was as follows:

89 members elected by popular suffrage (one deputy per 10,000 male inhabitants).

21 members appointed by the Imperial Commissary, including 11 Mahommedans.

5 members representing various societies.

11 members representing the clergy: 9 Orthodox, 1 mufti, and 1 rabbi.

105 members were high officials, including presidents of law courts and departmental or municipal councils.

This mix ensured that different social, religious, and administrative groups were represented in the Assembly, giving it more authority and legitimacy.

Thanks to the initiative of the Constituent Assembly, Bulgaria’s constitution became more democratic and balanced than the original draft. The Assembly expanded the powers of legislators, ensured representation of different communities, and strengthened the rule of law. These reforms laid the foundation of modern Bulgarian governance and established a system that could adapt to the needs of a newly independent state.