The State Council and Economic Development of the Principality of Bulgaria (1882–1883)

The role of the State Council for the economic development of the Principality of Bulgaria is a topic that still remains unexplored. With this article, the author aims to show the contribution of the Council to overcoming the economic barriers facing the country by analyzing and presenting conclusions about the adopted legislative acts and the discussed bills. The State Council adopts the “Law on Public Tenders”, “Public Administrative Regulations for the conclusion of contracts and the obligations imposed on the entrepreneur” and the “Law on Collections and Contributions”. The terms “entrepreneur” and “government procurement” are defined, which allows a number of infrastructure projects to be built. Synchronization between central and local government is improving. Mandatory documentation for tax payments allows better monitoring of tax collection. The bill for the promotion of industry presents the problems facing the development of the Bulgarian economy, such as higher interest rates in the Principality and high customs tariffs. It proposes a solution to these problems, such as the creation of industrial banks, assistance to small producers, giving priority to the production of paper, textiles, etc. Although the law was not adopted, the ideas later became the basis of protectionism in Bulgaria. The State Council is debating numerous laws that have been adopted by the Third Ordinary National Assembly, such as the “Law on Auctions, the Law on Vineyards”, “Land Tax and Alcoholic Beverages”, the “Law on the Processing and Extracting Opium Poppy” etc. In the end, the number of economic initiatives undertaken by the state councilors lead to the improvement of economic conditions and introduce good European practices into the Bulgarian legislative framework. This is happening in the conditions of a complex political situation, but it also shows that to overcome the economic barriers, synchronous work between all institutions is needed.