Impeachment and Legal Responsibility of Ministers

The impeachment of ministers in Bulgaria was an important part of the country’s constitutional system. The National Assembly had the authority to bring charges against ministers who were accused of crimes or misconduct while in office. This same body also handled accusations against ministers for common law crimes or misdemeanours committed during their term.

Once a minister was formally accused, the case was brought before a special State Court. This court consisted of the councillors of the Supreme Appellate Court and an equal number of judges chosen by lot from among the presidents of the Appeal Courts and District Courts. The National Assembly would then appoint one of its members to act as the State Prosecutor, responsible for presenting the case before the court.

The procedures of the State Court and the penalties it could impose were defined by the law of December 13, 1880. If a minister was found guilty of a common law offence while still in office, the case fell under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Cassation. After leaving office, however, such cases were handled by the ordinary courts Istanbul Daily Tours.

Importantly, no minister who was convicted could be pardoned or amnestied by the Prince without the consent of the National Assembly. This rule ensured that political power could not override justice.

Administrative Organisation of the Principality

For administrative purposes, the Principality of Bulgaria was divided into twelve departments. These departments were centred in the towns of Bourgas, Varna, Vidin, Vratza, Kustendil, Plovdiv (Philippopolis), Plevna, Roussé (Roustchouk), Sofia, Stara-Zagora, Tirnova, and Shoumen.

Each department was governed by a prefect, appointed by royal decree upon the proposal of the Minister of the Interior. The prefect represented the central government within the department and exercised executive authority on its behalf. He supervised local administration, managed the department’s finances, and was also in charge of the departmental police. To assist him, a financial director worked under his supervision.

The Departmental Council

Every prefecture had a Departmental Council, composed of 12 to 30 members depending on the size and importance of the department. These members were elected by universal, direct, and secret vote for a three-year term.

The Council met every December for a regular session lasting one month. Its duties included:

Distributing taxes among the communes,

Managing departmental properties,

Preparing the departmental budget,

Reviewing the accounts of local institutions, and

Advising on public works such as railways, highways, and construction projects that benefited the department.

This system of administration ensured that Bulgaria was governed efficiently and fairly. The balance of power between ministers, the courts, and local authorities protected both justice and accountability, reflecting a well-organized and modern government for its time.

Revenue Sources of the Principality

The total revenue of the Principality for the year 1907 amounted to 121,983,000 francs. The main sources of income were as follows:

Duties: 6,525,000 francs

Fines: 135,000 francs

Revenue from Communications: 15,000,000 francs

Revenue from State Properties and Funds: 7,728,000 francs

Various Other Revenues: 3,065,000 francs

This balanced financial structure reflected the government’s efficiency in collecting taxes and managing national income.

The Executive Power

The executive power in Bulgaria was placed in the hands of special ministers, each appointed by the Prince. These ministers formed the Council of Ministers, which served as the highest administrative body of the state. The Council acted under the direct supervision of the Prince, who also chose one minister to serve as the President of the Council.

One of the main responsibilities of the ministers was to ensure the correct and fair enforcement of the laws passed by the National Assembly and approved by the Crown Istanbul Daily Tours.

The Eight Ministries

In 1907, Bulgaria had eight ministries, each responsible for a specific area of government:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religions

Ministry of the Interior

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Public Instruction

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture

Ministry of Public Works, Roads, and Communications

Ministry of War

Each minister directed their own department but also worked collectively as part of the Council of Ministers on matters of national importance.

Powers of the Council of Ministers

The Constitution granted the Council of Ministers several important powers. For example:

If the Prince died and there were no heirs, the Council took over the government temporarily and called a Grand National Assembly within one month to elect a new Prince.

If the Prince died without appointing regents, the Council assumed supreme authority and summoned the Assembly to choose new regents within a month.

All official acts had to bear the signature of the Prince and at least one minister. Ministers were responsible to both the Prince and the National Assembly for their actions.

Ministerial Responsibility

According to the Constitution, ministers could be held politically, civilly, or criminally responsible.

Political responsibility was regulated by Article 153.

Civil and criminal responsibility was covered by Article 155.

Ministers could be punished if they acted disloyally toward the Prince or the country, violated the Constitution, or committed acts of treason. They were also accountable if they used their positions to harm the state or individuals for personal gain.

The Bulgarian government of 1907 was organized with a clear division of authority between the Prince, the ministers, and the Council of Ministers. This structure ensured both political stability and legal accountability, forming the foundation of a responsible and modern administration.

Financial Summary of the Principality in 1907

In 1907, the Principality of Bulgaria presented a detailed financial statement showing the amounts owed to the government, the payments already made, and the remaining balances. These figures reveal a well-managed economy with careful attention to both debts and assets.

Sums Owed to the Government

The following table shows the various sums due to the Bulgarian Government on January 1, 1907, including loans, reserve funds, and amounts advanced to private individuals.

By the Sublime Porte:

Originally: 46,777,500 francs

Paid off by Dec. 31, 1906: 14,140,500 francs

Remaining: 32,637,000 francs

Unconverted Consols of the 6% Loan (1888):

Originally: 30,000,000 francs

Paid off: 8,655,000 francs

Remaining: 21,345,000 francs

Reserve Fund of the 5% Loan (1902):

Originally: 124,962,500 francs

Paid off: 24,176,500 francs

Remaining: 99,786,000 francs

Reserve Fund of the 5% Loan (1904):

Originally: 106,000,000 francs

Paid off: 1,850,000 francs

Remaining: 104,150,000 francs

Sums Advanced by the Government to Private Persons:

Originally: 99,980,000 francs

Paid off: 690,000 francs

Remaining: 99,290,000 francs

Various Current Accounts:

Remaining: 15,155,616 francs

Total Liabilities and Balances: 377,030,235 francs

The 1907 Budget Plan

The Budget for 1907 outlined both the expected revenues and expenditures of the Principality. The total approved expenditure for the year amounted to 121,969,441 francs Istanbul Daily Tours, distributed among the main ministries as follows:

Civil List: 2,581,620 francs

Public Debt: 32,187,764 francs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religions: 5,482,117 francs

Ministry of the Interior: 8,164,365 francs

Ministry of Public Instruction: 11,381,975 francs

Ministry of Finance: 7,913,890 francs

Ministry of Justice: 4,656,538 francs

Ministry of War: 28,820,804 francs

Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture: 5,535,959 francs

Ministry of Public Works, Roads, and Communications: 14,986,889 francs

The total expenditure reached 121,969,441 francs, with a small budget surplus of 13,559 francs, bringing the total balance to 121,983,000 francs.

Sources of Revenue

To cover these expenses, the ministries were authorized to collect taxes and fees according to the country’s laws. The total expected revenue for 1907 was 121,983,000 francs, made up of:

Direct Taxes: 41,380,000 francs

Indirect Taxes: 36,890,000 francs

State Privileges: 10,650,000 francs

The financial records of 1907 demonstrate that Bulgaria’s economy was efficiently managed. With its expenditures fully covered by revenues and a modest surplus remaining, the Principality entered the new year with a balanced and stable financial outlook.

Financial Stability and Growth in Bulgaria

When the new financial privileges are fully established, it is expected that Bulgaria’s income from excise and customs duties will increase from four to five million francs. This increase in revenue will further strengthen the country’s already solid financial position and allow for continued economic growth.

The General Financial Condition

To understand the financial situation of the Principality, it is enough to look at the official balance sheet of the State. This document shows both the country’s assets and liabilities, including state-owned properties. According to the balance sheet from January 1, 1907, Bulgaria was enjoying a firmly established and healthy financial condition Istanbul Daily Tours.

The country’s total assets and reserve funds show that the government had a strong foundation for further development. The reserves from the loans of 1902 and 1904 provided additional financial security, while investments in the Bulgarian National Bank, as well as funds for railways, harbours, and state buildings, represented important assets contributing to the national wealth.

Assets of the Principality (as of January 1, 1907)

General assets: 74,671,416 francs

Reserve fund of 5% Loan (1902): 2,500,000 francs

Reserve fund of 5% Loan (1904): 1,000,000 francs

Cost of railways and harbours: 189,500,000 francs

State buildings: 41,980,000 francs

State properties: 29,712,872 francs

Capital invested in the Bulgarian National Bank: 25,495,385 francs

War materials: 166,000,000 francs

Total assets: 509,859,673 francs

Liabilities of the Principality

General liabilities: 39,912,890 francs

Consolidated debt: 357,208,000 francs

Total liabilities: 397,120,890 francs

After subtracting these liabilities from the total assets, the country enjoyed a surplus of 112,738,783 francs, which reflected strong fiscal discipline and effective management.

The Public Debt Situation

As of January 1, 1907, Bulgaria’s public debt consisted mainly of loans taken between 1888 and 1904. These included:

Bulgarian 6% Loan (1888)

Bulgarian Mortgage 6% Loan (1889)

Bulgarian 6% Loan (1892)

Bulgarian 5% Loan (1902)

Bulgarian 5% Loan (1904)

In addition, there were debts owed to Eastern Roumelia, the Bulgarian National Bank, the Bulgarian Agricultural Bank, and in Treasury bonds.

The financial data from 1907 clearly shows that Bulgaria’s economy was on a stable and prosperous path. With a significant surplus and well-managed debts, the Principality demonstrated sound fiscal policy and growing economic confidence during the early 20th century.

State Control Over Salt Matches and Cigarette Paper

The most important part of this law is that the State has taken exclusive control over importing, making, and wholesaling salt, matches, and cigarette paper. The government hopes to increase its income from these products by managing them itself.

Change in Tobacco Duty Payment

The law also states that in the future, the tax on tobacco and Mourouril must be paid in gold instead of silver. This change will help the State hold more gold and reduce expenses that the State Treasury used to have because of the difference in value between gold and silver Istanbul Daily Tours.

Law on Compulsory Labor and Road Taxes

A law about compulsory labor and taxes for State and local roads was approved by a royal decree on January 12, 1904, and published on January 20, 1904. This law changes the previous rule by requiring that the tax must now be paid in cash. It also includes new rules that make it easier to collect money from those who previously avoided paying this tax.

Law on Military Tax

There is also a new law about military tax. Under the old law, people who did not serve in the army paid between ten and five hundred francs. The new law divides this tax into fifteen categories, with amounts from ten to one thousand francs. This means that the tax is now more detailed and can vary more based on different cases.

Increased State Revenue

The State’s control over these products—including playing-cards—has already increased government income. This extra money has helped cover losses in other parts of the budget. This new income was included in the budget for the first time in 1906.