Dimitrov Constitution

Dimitrov Constitution
Overview
Original titleДимитровска конституция
JurisdictionBulgaria
Ratified4 December 1947
Date effective6 December 1947
Repealed18 May 1971
LocationNational Historical Museum
Author(s)6th Grand National Assembly
SupersedesTarnovo Constitution
Politics of Bulgaria
Constitution
Presidency
  • Executive
  • Legislative
Major political parties
Recent elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

The Dimitrov Constitution was the second Constitution of Bulgaria, in effect from 1947 to 1971.[1] It formed the legal basis for Communist rule in Bulgaria.[2]

The document was named after the country's first Communist leader, Georgi Dimitrov. He guided the framing of the 1947 constitution on the model of the 1936 Soviet Constitution.[3] The Dimitrov Constitution guaranteed citizens all manner of personal freedoms, such as equality before the law, freedom from discrimination, freedom of speech, press, and assembly, and inviolability of person, domicile, and correspondence.[3] However, these rights were effectively rendered meaningless by a clause prohibiting activity that would jeopardize the attainments of "the national revolution of 9 September 1944."[3] Citizens were guaranteed employment but required to work in a socially useful capacity.[3] The constitution also prescribed a planned national economy, and provided for a national welfare system.[3] Unlike the Soviet Constitution, private property was allowed, provided that it was not used "to the detriment of the public good."[4][3]

The constitution set up a highly centralized governmental structure. The legislature, the National Assembly, was defined as the "highest organ of state power." It was elected for a four-year term and met in regular session twice a year.[3] In practice, it did little more than rubber-stamp decisions already made at the highest levels of the Bulgarian Communist Party[5] When the National Assembly was not in session, its powers were exercised by a Presidium comprising a president (a post equivalent to that of president of the republic) and 18 members. The Presidium also had the power to declare war, make peace, amend the constitution, and approve the national economic plan.[4]

Executive authority was vested in a Council of Ministers appointed by the Presidium. Its chairman, the prime minister, was almost always the leader of the Communist Party. The judiciary was appointed by the National Assembly at all levels and lost all independence. Local government was exercised by people's councils, who elected executive committees responsible to the Presidium.

The constitution remained in effect until 1971, when it was replaced by the Zhivkov Constitution.[6]

References

  1. ^ Konstantinov, Emil. Constitutional Foundation of Bulgaria (Historical Parallels) Archived 2016-04-01 at the Wayback Machine. Rigas Network, 2002.
  2. ^ Bulgaria: The early Communist era at Encyclopedia Britannica
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Glenn E. Curtis (June 1992). "The Dimitrov Constitution". In Curtis, Glenn E. (ed.). Bulgaria: a country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN 93010955.
  4. ^ a b Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Glenn E. Curtis (June 1992). "The Early Communist Era". In Curtis, Glenn E. (ed.). Bulgaria: a country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN 93010955.
  5. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Glenn E. Curtis. "Government Structure". Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Glenn E. Curtis (June 1992). "The Zhivkov Era". In Curtis, Glenn E. (ed.). Bulgaria: a country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN 93010955.