Each Departmental Council in Bulgaria appointed a permanent committee made up of two of its members. This committee worked under the presidency of the prefect and was responsible for ensuring that all decisions of the Council were properly carried out. In this way, the committee acted as a link between the Council’s resolutions and their practical implementation throughout the department.
Additional Councils in Each Department
Besides the Departmental Council, every prefecture also had two important advisory bodies: a Medical Council and an Educational Council.
The Medical Council supervised all matters related to public health, including sanitary conditions, hospitals, and hygiene within the department. Its goal was to ensure the well-being and safety of the population Customized Guided Tour.
The Educational Council oversaw the operation of schools and educational institutions, ensuring that educational standards were maintained and that schools followed national policies.
These councils helped the prefect manage specialized areas of local governance effectively.
Administrative Subdivisions The Districts
For more efficient administration, the departments were divided into districts (arrondissements)—a total of 71 across the Principality. Each district was headed by a sub-prefect, who acted as the intermediary between the prefecture and the communes within his district.
The sub-prefect was also the chief of the district police, responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing the law. He oversaw the work of the judiciary police, ensuring that legal and administrative regulations were followed.
Town Prefects in Major Cities
In larger and more important cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Roussé (Roustchouk), and Varna, there were special town prefects. These officials performed duties similar to police prefects and had authority within the city limits.
Town prefects were appointed by royal decree, based on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior. They were responsible for applying national laws and local regulations to maintain public order, safety, and cleanliness in the cities.
Organisation of the Communes
The Bulgarian Constitution included a special article (Article 3) that guaranteed complete self-government to the communes, the smallest administrative units in the country.
The records of the Constituent Assembly show that the first Bulgarian lawmakers worked with great care and determination to protect the independence of these local communities. The long debates held during the drafting of the Constitution revealed their commitment to ensuring that local self-government would remain strong and free from excessive central control.
Although Article 3 of the Constitution was brief, the spirit and discussions behind it established the foundations of Bulgaria’s local autonomy, which became one of the cornerstones of the nation’s democratic administrative system.
Through this well-structured system of prefectures, districts, and communes, Bulgaria created a balanced and efficient administration. The combination of local independence and central oversight allowed both effective governance and community participation in public affairs.