Bulgarian PM Proposes Revocation of Beach Camping Ban Draft

Bulgarian Prime Minister and leader of the largest ruling party GERB, Boyko Borisov, proposed on Monday to revoke a controversial draft ban on beach camping, which had been tentatively adopted by the Bulgarian parliament two weeks ago.

The controversial amendments to the Tourism Act banned the camping and setting up of tents at a distance of less than hundred metres away from the beach line.

The adoption of the ban on first reading has resulted in social discontent and protests over the past two weeks.

Borisov ordered MPs from his party to devise new amendments which will be developed and tabled to parliament on Wednesday.

In effect, this means that the initial draft amendments, which had been approved by the prime minister at the end of last year, will be tabled for new discussion in parliament.

Borisov has ordered urgent measures on revoking the controversial texts of the bill which prohibits camping and setting up of tents.

The prime minister added that he is in favour of establishing rules and regulations and more concrete definition of the term camping.

Meanwhile, a national protest is to be held in six cities across the country on Monday evening. Protesters are expected to come out against the ban in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse, Stara Zagora and Shumen.

On Sunday, Borisov expressed opposition to the ban, saying that his party had been forced to adopt it by the junior coalition partners from the Reformist Bloc (RB).

Also on Sunday, the tourism ministry announced that it will extend the period of public discussion for the proposed changes to the Tourism Act.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!