One of the key tasks before the next National Assembly will be the election of new members from the parliamentary quota of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). This was stated by Petar Petrov - leader of the list of “Vazrazhdane“ in 24 MIRs in Sofia and Montana.
According to him, it is imperative to form a majority of 160 MPs to elect a new composition of the SJC and its inspectorate. According to him, it is this body that should start the procedure for the election of a new prosecutor general.
Petrov also commented on the topic of the acting prosecutor general, emphasizing that according to the latest legal changes, this status is limited in time to six months. Therefore, in his words, the request for the election of a new acting prosecutor is fully justified.
He expressed the opinion that judicial practice has already questioned some of the powers of the acting prosecutor and emphasized that judges must maintain their independence in making decisions.
He once again raised the issue of the need for constitutional changes, even questioning the need for the figure of the Prosecutor General in its current form. Petrov indicated that some of the powers could be transferred to the Minister of Justice, especially with regard to control over refusals to initiate pre-trial proceedings or their termination.
He specified that this was not about interference in ongoing investigations, but about a mechanism to guarantee greater accountability of the prosecutor's office. Petrov stated that “Vazrazhdane“ in principle supports the election of a new composition of the Supreme Judicial Council, but would link its participation in such a majority to specific legislative changes.
Among these are measures against the slow and expensive justice system, as well as the possibility of more effective control over the actions of the prosecutor's office. He gave an example of the need for the inspectorate at the Supreme Judicial Council to be able to carry out inspections of pending cases in case of suspicion of delays.
“In order for Bulgaria to be a stable and independent state, it is necessary to uphold the principles of the rule of law, justice and the effective functioning of institutions“, concluded Petrov.