Georgi Parvanov on 22 January addressed a number of domestic issues he wishes to see resolved in the coming months and years, according to the text of a speech posted on the official presidential website (http://www.president.bg).

Parvanov called for a number of legal changes, including the introduction of a modern Penal Code to help curb organized crime and constitutional amendments to strengthen the country's democracy. Parvanov suggested the president be granted the right to initiate referendums.

In a somewhat unexpected move, Parvanov proposed that a referendum be held on Bulgaria's EU membership, and called on the country's politicians to better inform the citizenry about how Bulgaria's membership in the EU could affect them.

(RFE/RL 23.i.04)