site.btaJustice Minister Announces Competition for New European Prosecutor from Bulgaria

A competition to select a new European Prosecutor from Bulgaria will soon be launched, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev said on Thursday during the opening of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia. He noted that the number of applicants will be known once the deadline for submissions expires, adding that the Ministry is working to build trust and express a clear common position regarding the ongoing review involving previous European Prosecutor from Bulgaria Teodora Georgieva.

Teodora Georgieva was suspended from office in September, after the EPPO launched an internal administrative investigation in March into possible misconduct by the Bulgarian European Prosecutor, in the context of an ongoing EPPO case.

The Minister noted that the selection process will not be influenced by informal arrangements, adding that the choice of Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor will be made through a public competition conducted under established rules intended to guarantee transparency.

Georgiev commented that the delay in opening an EPPO office in Bulgaria stemmed from multiple reasons that should be addressed by previous administrations. He welcomed the fact that, after four and a half years, the office is finally being inaugurated, pointing out that the new building is in better technical condition than the one initially designated for the purpose.