Village in Bulgaria Awaits Presidential Decision on Name Change After Overwhelming Referendum Vote
Table of Contents
residents of Stefan Stambolovo overwhelmingly voted to revert to the village’s original name, Garden, but the decision rests with the president.
The residents of Stefan Stambolovo, a village within the Polski Trambesh municipality, are awaiting a decision from President Rumen Radev regarding their request to change the village’s name back to its original designation, Garden. On April 13th, a referendum was held where 102 out of 103 participating voters (from a total of 138 eligible voters) supported the name change.Despite this clear expression of the local population’s will, there has been no official response from the president’s office to date.
The referendum’s outcome has placed the responsibility for the final decision squarely on the Head of State. According to local sources, as of now, the presidency has not acknowledged receipt of the referendum results or initiated any review process. The documentation was promptly submitted to the presidential administration at Dondukov 2. Concerns have been raised about potential delays in processing the request.Marinet Yordanova,Chairman of the Municipal Council,confirmed that all relevant documents are with the Presidency,but no feedback has been received. Questions submitted to the presidency regarding the Stefan Stambolovo case and a similar situation in Obzor have gone unanswered.
The referendum in Stefan Stambolovo, while demonstrating a strong local desire, presents certain legal complexities. While initiated by a local committee and approved by the Municipal Council, the authority to change the names of settlements resides with the Head of State, not the local authority. Despite these legal nuances, the outcome clearly reflects the will of the people. While the president is not legally bound to comply with the referendum, respecting the outcome would align with democratic principles.
“There is no reaction.Everything like documentation is in the Presidency.”
Background on the Situation
The Mayor of Polski Trambesh, Georgi Chakarov, was involved in the initiative to support Rumen Radev’s second term in office.However, this connection has not seemingly expedited the decision-making process regarding the village’s name change request.
A similar situation exists in Obzor, where a 2021 referendum supported the separation of Obzor from the Municipality of Nessebar. Despite meeting the required threshold for validity, the Head of State has yet to act on this decision, leaving the matter unresolved for four years.
President Rumen Radev has previously stated, “The referendum will be a sample for the democracy of the current National assembly. It will show who accepts the principles of democracy and who refuses the Bulgarians the right to resolve their future,” in reference to a national consultation on the Euro. The lack of action in both the Obzor and Stefan Stambolovo cases raises questions about the consistency of these principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after a village votes to change its name in Bulgaria?
After a local referendum, the results are submitted to the President of Bulgaria, who has the authority to make the final decision on the name change. The President is not legally bound by the referendum result but typically considers it as an expression of the local population’s will.
Can a local municipality change the name of a village without presidential approval?
No, the authority to change the names of settlements in Bulgaria rests solely with the President of the country. Local municipalities can initiate the process and conduct referendums,but the final decision is made at the national level.
How long does it typically take for the President to decide on a village name change request?
There is no set timeframe for the President to make a decision on a village name change request. The decision-making process can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the case and the President’s priorities.Some cases may be resolved relatively quickly, while others can take months or even years.
