site.btaParliament Votes in Principle to Set in Place Mechanism for Investigating Prosecutor General

Parliament Friday passed on first reading a bill of amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, that sets in place a mechanism for investigating the Prosecutor General. The bill was backed by 191 votes and 33 abstained. The bill was moved by the government.

A bill of amendments on the same matter, that was tabled by Vazrazhdane was defeated on 68-6 votes and 149 abstentions. 

Radomir Cholakov of GERB-UDF said that "some 50 top magistrates say that this bill [of the government] is no good but we stake on the opinion of Justice Minister Krum Zarkov and his deputy". He said, however, that GERB-UDF will back the bill "because this needs to be brought to the end". 

Bulgaria has long been criticized at home and abroad for the lack of accountability of its top prosecutor.

Cholakov suggested that the bill be referred to the Constitutional Court as soon as it is adopted to make sure it complies with the Constitution.

Justice Minister Zarkov said that the constitutionality of bills like this one is always put to question. "Whatever happens, we need this bill and this mechanism. The question is whether we have a will to do our job. I believe this time we do," said the Minister.