Bulgarian Parliament Unanimously Backs Legislation to Block Borislav Saratov‘s Appointment as Permanent Chief Prosecutor
In a significant development, the Bulgarian Parliament’s legal committee has unanimously supported a bill that could potentially halt the appointment of Borislav Saratov as the country’s permanent chief prosecutor. The move, which would also remove him from his current position as the interim head of the institution, was approved by all 23 attending deputies during the committee’s meeting held on Tuesday.
The Parliament has a tight deadline to approve the legislation before the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) votes on Saratov’s candidacy on January 16. Even if the deadline is not met, President Rumen Radev is expected not to sign the decree appointing Saratov if VSS proceeds with his appointment. This would give the Parliament additional time to pass the legislation.
Georges-Eiffel-Renovation-Building (GERB) MP Rayna Nazarova confirmed her party’s support for the law, stating, "Our decision is more political than legal. The goal is clear to everyone." Similarly, former Minister of Justice and current Democrat for Bulgaria (DB) MP Atanas Slavov, who introduced the bill, believes that the VSS, with its expired mandate, lacks both legal and moral authority to elect the next chief prosecutor.
The Ministry of Justice was the only institution to submit a position on the bill, unsurprisingly opposing the proposed changes. Acting Minister of Justice Maria Pavlova, who briefly served as Saratov’s deputy in the prosecution office, warned against haste, saying, "Don’t rush too much. You’ll create an even bigger problem."
The bill, proposed by PP-DB in December, aims to suspend the ongoing election processes for chief prosecutor and VSS chair, in which Saratov is the sole candidate. If adopted, the law would also remove Saratov from his position as the interim head of the prosecution office. It introduces a six-month limit for interim heads of the three supreme bodies.
Saratov’s appointment has been the subject of controversy. Despite his denial, he has been linked to the "Otets" affair and has faced criticism over his business dealings with companies tied to GERB. The latest revelations in the Bivol investigation regarding lavish payouts to his son and former wife have further tarnished his image.
Political Party "Rise Up" Presents Its Proposals
The political party "Rise Up" has proposed a bill to restrict the powers of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) with an expired mandate. The party seeks to amend the law to prevent VSS from conducting elections for chief prosecutor, Supreme Cassation Court, and Supreme Administrative Court chairs.
The party aims to increase public oversight over the activities of the judicial authorities, including the VSS and its Inspectorate. It also calls for greater transparency regarding the property ownership and cohabitation status of magistrates.
ITN Party Presents Its Legislation Aimed at Strengthening the Prosecutor’s Office
The ITN party has submitted a bill focused on curtailing the powers of the chief prosecutor within the boundaries set by the constitution. The party proposes a clear specification of the number of deputy chief prosecutors and their respective powers, currently determined by each chief prosecutor.
Additionally, the party suggests abolishing the power of chief prosecutors and their deputies to revoke or amend prosecutorial acts in writing. ITN also advocates for the establishment of general assemblies at each level of the prosecution hierarchy and seeks equal rules for the transfer of all magistrates across the judicial system. The bill also proposes that a prosecutor can be transferred only when the relevant administrative superior is unable to fulfill their duties and cannot be replaced by another magistrate from the same judicial structure.
