site.btaCC-DB Calls on Supreme Judicial Council to Implement Judiciary Act Amendments as Adopted

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) submitted an opinion on Wednesday to the members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), expressing the intent reflected in the amendments to the Judiciary Act which set a six-month time-limit for heading the prosecution service and the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court in an acting capacity, CC-DB Co-chair Nadejda Iordanova said on Thursday before a sitting of the SJC Judges Chamber.

Iordanova noted that in a State governed by the rule of law, acting appointments cannot be indefinite, and the law therefore introduces a six-month limit starting from its entry into force. She explained that it is clearly stated in the provisions, which apply to both past and future cases, as well as in instances of early termination of office. Yordanova called on the SJC members to apply the law precisely, noting that during the debates on the bill, the meaning of the provision was never put into question.

MP Ivaylo Mirchev (CC-DB) said that the current situation in the judicial system is causing delays and risks undermining the delivery of justice, as investigations assigned by order of the acting Prosecutor General could be challenged. He added that the SJC must appoint a new Prosecutor General.

Mirchev pointed out that new SJC members also need to be elected, and the Judiciary Act amended to ensure transparent elections and prevent the parliamentary quota from becoming politicized.