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Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday passed legislation to protect journalists, activists and others from abusive lawsuits used to intimidate or silence critics.
The move goes beyond the minimum requirements set by the European Union and comes as concerns persist over press freedom in the country.
The lawsuits, known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs, are typically used to pressure reporters, whistleblowers and rights groups through lengthy and costly legal proceedings rather than to secure a successful court judgment.
Most SLAPP cases involve claims of defamation or reputational damage and are often brought by wealthy or influential individuals and organisations able to afford substantial legal costs.
The reform implements a 2024 EU directive requiring member states to protect journalists and other public-interest actors from abusive cross-border lawsuits within the bloc.
Bulgaria has gone further by extending the protections to cases involving only domestic parties.
Under the new law, courts will be able to dismiss clearly unfounded claims at an early stage. It also introduces shorter deadlines for judicial decisions and imposes stricter conditions for interim measures, including asset seizures against defendants.
The new provisions will apply to ongoing proceedings that have not yet reached their first hearing.
Lawyer Alexander Kashumov, who has been involved in several SLAPP cases, described the legislation as a significant advance in protecting freedom of expression.
Kashumov said dozens of such cases, involving legal claims worth tens or even thousands of euros, were currently before Bulgarian courts and had created a serious chilling effect on free expression.
