Judge Withdrawal Drags UDF Registration Saga

The United Democrat Forces (UDF) leader, Martin Dimitrov (L), and the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) leader, Ivan Kostov (R). Photo by BGNES.

The judge from the Sofia City Court who was scheduled to try the case of the UDF party's registration has withdrawn from participation in the trial.

Judge Madzharov is part of the team of magistrates who were supposed to reexamine the registration of the leader of the rightist, opposition Union of Democratic Forces party (UDF), Martin Dimitorv.

On April 30, Bulgaria's Supreme Cassation Court returned the case to the City Court criticizing the motives to reject Dimitrov's registration.

The latest development is going to drag the case even further because a new team of magistrates must be appointed. Currently, Plamen Yurukov is still the legitimate leader of UDF because Martin Dimitrov is not yet officially registered and would not be until the Court makes the decision.

The registration scandal erupted on April 30 when former party leader Plamen Yurukov submitted documents for the UDF's solo running in the upcoming MEP elections.

The new UDF leadership, led by Dimitrov, had decided months ago to run in coalition with the other rightist opposition party - the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) and their leader, Ivan Kostov.

On Monday, the UDF leadership suspended Yurukov's membership and the membership of former Chief Party Secretary, Plamen Radanov.

Judge Nikolay Madzharov withdrew with the motive that six claims have been filed already demanding the case's dismissal. Two of them were submitted by Radanov; the other four belong to Yurukov, Yanko Velev, Ivan Kanev and Nikolay Gatsev.

 

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