Second edition of the webinars “The Business Talks” with guest lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Belov

In the dynamic situation after the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, Gugushev & Partners Law Office gave Bulgarian business leaders an opportunity to learn more about the constitutional procedures of power transfer, by organizing the second edition of the webinar series "The Business Talks" titled "Balance of power between the Parliament, the Government, and the President in the Process of Leadership Transition?"

The webinar took place on April 27, 2021, with a guest lecturer - the distinguished specialist in Constitutional and Comparative Constitutional Law and Vice Dean for International Relations, Digitalization and Virtual Environment of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski”- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Belov.

The Moderator of the event was Mr. Victor Gugushev - Partner at Gugushev & Partners Law Office, and panelists were Mr. Levon Hampartsumyan - Chairman of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum, Mr. Ivan Staykov - Executive Manager of GED Ltd. and a member of the Management Board of FBN - Bulgaria, and Mr. Vladislav Mihov, General Manager of "Japan Tobacco International Bulgaria".

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Belov made a brief overview of the constitutional procedure for establishing a new government and the different types of governments. He focused on some important constitutional specifics, such as the terms of handover of the mandate and the institution of the caretaker government, which is provided for in the Constitutions of few countries in the world.

The webinar answered both the interesting questions of the panelists and questions from the audience that arose throughout the discussion. Regarding the hot topic of changing the current Constitution, Assoc. Prof. Belov pointed out that a radical change is not recommendable due to the institutional blockage it might cause. Other current topics discussed were the advantages and disadvantages of the majority vote, good electoral practices from other countries, mechanisms for effective separation and independent functioning of the authorities as well as how strengthen the actual control function of NGOs, etc.

In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Belov commented that for positive reforms in the country should be defined by several specific visionary national priorities related to our European identity, maintenance of a predictable political system with clear party programs, and enhancement of the democratization of civil society.

Gugushev & Partners Law Office is a company with over fifteen years of experience in the Bulgarian and international market and an active social responsibility policy. With “The Business Talks” project, we aim to develop public engagement on important topics for business and civil society. The next editions of the series are coming soon!