site.btaBorislav Sarafov Resigns as Acting Prosecutor General, Politicians React

After nearly 3 years in office, Borislav Sarafov resigned as Bulgaria's acting prosecutor general on Wednesday morning. His tenure was overshadowed by a lingering controversy over his legitimacy. A number of Bulgarian courts argue that, under Judicial System Act amendments effective January 21, 2025, which limited to six months the period during which a particular individual can serve as acting prosecutor general, his capacity to serve in this office lapsed on July 21, 2025, i.e. six months after the entry into force of these provisions.

"I made my decision some time ago, after careful consideration of all legal and institutional consequences. I postponed its announcement in order to prevent further destabilization of the prosecution service of the Republic of Bulgaria in the context of a prolonged and severe political crisis, which, I hope, as the majority of Bulgarian citizens have demonstrated, has this time found its successful resolution," Sarafov said in his address. "Unfortunately, in the past months, the prosecution service has continued to be subjected to groundless and unlawful pressure. In addition, I have become the subject of a targeted smear and defamatory campaign. Nevertheless, I have put the interests of the institution, to which I have dedicated more than three decades of my professional career, above all else, and have taken on the responsibility to continue performing my functions," the statement reads.

After his resignation, the Supreme Judicial Council Prosecutors Chamber unanimously decided to designate deputy prosecutor general Vanya Stefanova acting Prosecutor General.

Cabinet members, the head of State, and party leaders also reacted to the news. 

Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov stressed that nothing begins or will end with Borislav Sarafov, and both new and established politicians have a role to play on this critical issue. According to Gurov, a prosecutor general has effectively stepped down from a position he had been holding unlawfully. He further claimed that Sarafov had halted an investigation into 72 vote brokers who enjoyed immunity. “He is the same person who sanctioned investigations against me, the Secretary General [of the Interior Ministry], and three ministers based on signals from tabloid media, while we were fighting for fair elections,” the Prime Minister said.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov hailed "the restoration of legality in the governance of the prosecution service". Asked whether he fears a “new regrouping at the top of the prosecution service,” Yankulov said he is concerned that developments in the judiciary may continue in the way they have occurred so far. The Minister pointed out that his request for disciplinary proceedings against Sarafov still stands, and the Prosecutors’ Chamber must take a position on it.

President Iliana Iotova said Sarafov should have stepped down from his post long ago and unblocked this entire process. 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. "Today he did it; for me, this is necessary, but only a first step," the head of State commented.

GERB described Sarafov's resignation as "a dignified but belated personal act". “The most important thing now is for the new national assembly to begin work immediately so that we can elect a new Supreme Judicial Council with broad consensus, which will ensure a professional and transparent selection of a new prosecutor general,” the party wrote on Facebook.

Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chairs Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhanov said that "the heart of the Peevski-Borissov model has been ripped out, this is an achievement of the people who came out to protest in December 2025." Mirchev argued that "it is clear that the 160 votes needed to dismantle this model are already available. [Movement for Rights and Freedoms Chair Delyan] Peevski and [GERB leader Boyko] Borissov have been disarmed; the next steps from here on are extremely important so that Bulgaria can truly change." Bozhanov said that the resignation of Sarafov, who was at the heart of this model, is only the first step.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said that Sarafov's resignation should be followed by the election of a new prosecutor general, but for that to happen, the Supreme Judicial Council must first be replaced. "Therefore, I believe this should be the first task of the new national assembly, which is expected to convene next week,” he added.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms issued a statement that "the reshuffle of the acting prosecutor general is a process of implementing constitutional and legal norms within the independent judiciary, and in particular within the prosecution service." The party argued that it  has always expressed its conviction that democracy is stable and secure when the Constitution and the laws of the country are observed, and when the separation of powers serves as a guarantee of democracy, independence, and mutual oversight between institutions.