Bulgaria Justice Minister: Judicial Reform Plan Is Ready

Bulgaria's Justice Minister, Margarita Popova, says the judicial reform and the fight against organized crime must become top national priority. Photo by BGNES

The strategy to reform the judicial system in Bulgaria is ready to be submitted with the Council of Ministers, Justice Minister, Margarita Popova, informs.

Popova spoke Wednesday, saying the plan would include structural, functional and administrative changes that would also be subject to a public discussion in April.

The Minister pointed out the reform and the fight against organized crime must become top national priority, and involve all State resources such as the National Revenue Agency, the Customs Agency, and other institutions.

Popova's announcement came on the heels of the European Commission's Interim Report on Bulgaria, which was published Tuesday, and included criticism of the Bulgarian judicial system.

The reform would involve asking the Constitutional Court magistrates if it is possible to amend their 2004 rule that 99% of the changes in the legislative power must e made by a Great General Assembly, so that such changes could be carried out during a regular Parliamentary term.

The reform would also involve the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS), which was shaken by several recent scandals. The discussions revolve around eliminating the age barrier for members, the possibility to dismiss them over poor work performance and ways to appoint them in order to avoid the current political nominations.

Another topic of discussion is the better distribution of workload among different courts.

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