site.btaDSB Leader: Repressive State Institutions Usurped by Those in Power

The repressive state institutions have been usurped by those in power to carry out political orders, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) leader and Democratic Bulgaria (DB) Co-Chair Atanas Atanasov said during Wednesday’s debate on the no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov over alleged failure of internal order and security, justice, and state capture. 

“The state today functions under conditions of a usurped repressive authority, used against opponents and mainly against the opposition,” Atanasov said.

He noted that Bulgaria has had an acting Prosecutor General for more than two years, appointed by the Prosecutors’ Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), whose mandate has already expired. “Who should take action to elect new members to the SJC, or is it simply convenient for you to be served by an acting head?” Atanasov asked.

Amendments to the Judicial System Act adopted in January limit the term of an acting prosecutor general to six months. Despite this, acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov has remained in the post well beyond the legal limit, having served since June 2023. A new SJC, which was to be elected by July 21 and tasked with appointing a new prosecutor general and a new Supreme Administrative Court president, has not yet been formed. Nevertheless, the SJC's Prosecutors Chamber ruled that the six-month limit does not apply to Sarafov, arguing the provision is not retroactive and he may continue to serve.

Atanasov also criticized the government's proposal to appoint State Agency for National Security (SANS) acting head Denyo Denev as permanent chair, noting that he was nominated despite President Rumen Radev’s public objection. DSB leader noted that the SANS chair must be politically neutral. “How can society trust someone appointed by the executive without following the procedure requiring the President’s involvement?” he asked.

During the debate, Yordan Ivanov (Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria) requested a recess until the Council of Ministers returned to the chamber, calling their absence “disrespectful to Parliament.” National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova replied that the ministers concerned were present. Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev said the Cabinet meeting had started later to allow participation in the debate, adding that he and Interior Minister Daniel Mitov were in the chamber to answer MPs’ questions.