Bulgaria ratifies Lisbon Treaty[fr][de] 

199 MPs supported the treaty while 15 opposed its ratification in last Friday's vote in Parliament (21 March). 

Speaking ahead of the vote, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev hailed the new treaty, declaring that "a new foundation and instruments have been found to make the EU more effective, more transparent and more accessible". 

The Slovenian Presidency and the Commission welcomed the decision, with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso praising "the commitment given to early approval of the treaty by both the Bulgarian Government and Parliament". 

Ahead of the Bulgarian vote, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, Romania and France had already approved the text, all five doing so by parliamentary vote (see EurActiv 18/12/07, 30/01/08, 05/02/08 and 08/02/08). 

Ireland is thus far the only country set to hold a referendum on the treaty, scheduled for early June. 

In Poland, the possibility of a public vote on the treaty remains after a vote on the text in parliament was delayed due to new demands by the opposition (EurActiv 18/03/08). 

The new treaty is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2009 provided that all 27 member states have ratified it by then.