site.btaPresident Iotova Calls Sarafov’s Resignation Necessary but Only a First Step

Borislav Sarafov should have stepped down from his post long ago and unblocked this entire process, President Iliana Iotova told journalists ahead of the EU Radio and Television Media Summit in Sofia, noting that this was her personal opinion. When there were not enough arguments for him to remain in office and endless disputes were taking place over whether this was lawful, given that the issue concerns legality, it would have been better for him to resign much earlier, she added.  

Sarafov stepped down from the post of acting prosecutor general earlier in the day and was replaced by his deputy Vanya Stefanova. 

Iotova recalled that on Tuesday she said this should be Sarafov’s personal decision and judgment. "Today he did it; for me, this is necessary, but only a first step," the President commented. From here on, she said, the responsibility lies with the National Assembly. The head of State expressed hope that, with maximum consensus, both the expired mandates would be addressed and a new Supreme Judicial Council would be elected in a transparent manner, one with sufficient authority to guarantee transparency in all procedures going forward. Because this is the job and responsibility of politicians, and we, the Bulgarian citizens, want a justice system that guarantees fairness," the President stressed.