site.btaProsecutors' Association Warns over Proposal to Link Magistrates' Salaries to MPs' Pay

Tying magistrate salaries to those of members of Parliament threatens the independence of the judiciary as stated by the Association of the Prosecutors in Bulgaria (APB) in a position regarding paragraph 21 of the draft State Budget Act for 2026, which proposes that the remuneration for the lowest magistrate position be determined as 60% of the basic salary of a member of parliament.

According to the APB, the current mechanism, based on an objective statistical indicator, is being replaced by a formula dependent on the decisions of the National Assembly regarding its own remuneration. "This creates a risk that the material status of the judiciary will be made dependent on political decisions," the Association points out.

The position further states that the draft State Budget Act does not explain why an MP's salary was chosen as the basis and why a ratio of 60% was determined. It adds that this is only the basic salary of a member of parliament, without additional remuneration for parliamentary positions held and participation in committees. "Separate funds are provided for associates, expert activities and other expenses for the implementation of deputy functions. Therefore, the proposed formula does not provide a complete and objective comparison between the financial provision of magistrates and members of parliament", the APB adds.

The Association states that the remuneration of magistrates is part of the guarantees for their independence, impartiality and protection from external influence and that the paragraph should be revised after a comprehensive legal, financial and constitutional analysis.

Last week, the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee adopted at first reading with 10 votes "in favour" and six "against" the draft 2026 State Budget Act, which included a budget for the judiciary proposed by the Council of Ministers. The proposed budget for the judiciary was rejected by the Supreme Judicial Council with 10 votes "against" and six "abstentions".