Title: Bulgaria‘sLegal Power Grab: Law Changes Thwarting Chief Prosecutor Appointment
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Bulgaria’s Presidential Law aimed at preventing Hristo Ivanov‘s appointment as Chief Prosecutor faces criticism. Expert Dr. Plamen Kirilov argues the government’s move is a legislative "schizophrenia" to keep the current Supreme Judicial Council in place.
Article:
In an unexpected turn, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev has issued a law aimed at preventing the appointment of Hristo Ivanov as the country’s new Chief Prosecutor. The move, introduced on January 8, 2025, has sparked a storm of criticism, with legal experts deeming it an attempt to maintain the current Supreme Judicial Council’s (VSС) hold on power.
Speaking on BTV’s "Face-to-Face" show, Professor of Constitutional Law Dr. Plamen Kirilov [1] weighed in on the controversial legislation. He expressed skepticism that the law would achieve its apparent goal: "If these changes are adopted today, they will have to be consolidated by the Legal Affairs Committee again, and there’s no guarantee that Ivanov won’t be elected."
Kirilov further stressed that the government’s strategy was flawed and counterproductive: "The National Assembly (NS) isn’t making any effort to elect the parliamentary quota and dissolve the current, expired VSС composition. They’ve introduced a cascade of laws just to prevent this current VSС from electing a specific person. This is legislative schizophrenia."
The main bone of contention is Ivanov’s strong stance against корупция (corruption) and organized crime—positions that have earned him considerable public support. The current VSС, however, favours a more status quo-friendly appointee.
Moreover, Kirilov underscored the concerns surrounding the proposed amendments to the Electoral Code, particularly the introduction of precinct counting centers (PCCs): "Who will staff these PCCs? Who will oversee them, and how can we ensure the accuracy of the count? There are much more significant issues at stake here that parliamentarians seem to be ignoring."
The ongoing political drama in Bulgaria highlights the critical role that independent institutions like the judiciary play in upholding democracy and the rule of law. As the country braces for.lock
Sources:
[1] Prof. Dr. Plamen Kirilov: [Full Name and Title]
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