Title: Stalled Talks: DB’s Proposals for Judicial Reform Spark Heated Debate in Bulgaria
The negotiations for forming a new government in Bulgaria were abruptly halted over the weekend, following Democratic Bulgaria’s (DB) introduction of specific proposals with definitive timelines for the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS). This move led to an immediate cessation of talks by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, according to civil rights advocate Velislav Velichkov, who spoke to the Bulgarian National Radio.
Today, Velichkov attended a meeting of the parliamentary legal committee, where the agenda was suddenly changed to discuss amendments to the Electoral Code, the Religious Denominations Act, and three proposals for the Judicial System Act – submitted by "Vazrazhdane", the PP-DB coalition, and ITN.
"In the best-case scenario, if the changes to the Judicial System Act are adopted tonight, they might pass on first reading by January 16," Velichkov said. However, he expressed skepticism about the rushed process and the real motives behind it. "This law should have been adopted before December 24, 2024. The constant delays and renewed talks after January 16 are clearly designed to influence the election of Ivan Sarorov, but he is not the independent judicial authority’s choice," Velichkov stated, likening the situation to a mafia leader picking their successor.
Velichkov raised concerns that more pressing issues, such as amendments to the Electoral Code and the Religious Denominations Act, were pushed aside in favor of the Judicial System Act. "We’re surprisingly discussing law projects for amending the Electoral Code instead, which should have been prioritized," he commented.
He also revealed that committee members had indicated they might work until late (20-21 hours) tonight to discuss and vote on the three amendments to the Judicial System Act. Velichkov outlined the key points of each proposal:
- "Vazrazhdane"’s proposal allows VSS members with expired mandates to participate in elections for the "big three" positions and imposes restrictions on the prosecutor general.
- The PP-DB coalition’s proposal ends the current election procedure and starts a new one with double majorities.
- ITN proposes limiting the prosecutor general’s powers, expanding those of the National Security Service director, and restricting the duration and position of prosecutor and judge assignments. The prosecutor general would only be able to dispatch prosecutors to the Supreme Cassation Court.
The heated debate surrounding the Judicial System Act is expected to continue as committee members work through the night,with potential implications for Bulgaria’s political landscape and judicial independence.