A parliamentary committee has rejected a bill that would make paternity leave more flexible. The labour, demographic and social policy committee voted down the changes to the Labour Code at first reading. Nine MPs voted against, eight for, and three abstained.

Venko Sabrutev of "We Continue the Change" and a group of MPs put forward the bill. They want fathers to be able to take the 15 days of leave in one go or in parts, as the family needs, until the child's first birthday. Under current rules, a father can take the leave only in one block and only from the day the child leaves hospital. The bill drops that rule. Sabrutev says a father should be able to support the mother when the family needs it.

The ministry does not back the change, social affairs minister Natalia Efremova said. She said it is important for a father to have the closest contact with the newborn in the first days. She also said that if the leave is split, an employer could refuse it more easily.

Iliyana Zhekova said GERB-SDS backs the bill. She said the text can be clarified between first and second reading so that it is not read in different ways. Ayten Sabri said the DPS will back it, and Georgi Georgiev of "Revival" spoke in its favour. Stela Nikolova of "Democratic Bulgaria" also backed it. She said the text can be tightened so an employer cannot turn down this kind of leave.

Mirena Gugleva-Ivanova of "Progressive Bulgaria" said the proposals need careful thought. MPs from the same party warned that the change could alter the whole idea behind paternity leave.

Todor Kapitanov, vice president of the KNSB trade union, backed the bill. Mariya Mincheva of the Bulgarian Industrial Association takes the opposite view. She said the current rules are good.