Who can initiate an optional referendum at the national level?

The parliament is the only body entitled to pass resolution on the holding of a national referendum but the conduct of such referendum may be proposed to the National Assembly by:

1. not less than one-fifth of all deputies;

2. the Council of Ministers;

3. the President of the Republic;

4. not less than one-fifth of the city councils in the country;

5. at least 200,000 citizens

The National Assembly shall decide on holding a national referendum if it is requested by a citizens’ petition containing the signatures of not less than 500,000 Bulgarian citizens with voting rights and in accordance with the limitations of art. 9, par. 2, 3 and 4. (This means if 500,000 signatures are collected the National Assembly has to call a referendum.)

Constitution ofBulgaria adopted on 12 July 1991

http://www.parliament.bg/en/const

Art. 10 of the Act on Direct Participation of Citizens in Government and Local Government of29 May 2009 http://www.lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135636485 (inBulgarian)