Foreign Diplomats Back Bulgaria's GERB Judicial Reform Plans

Bulgaria's Justice Minister, Margarita Popova (c), discussed the country's judicial reform with the US Ambassador, James Warlick (r), and top EU diplomats in Sofia, led by the Spanish Ambassador, Jorge Fuentes. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Justice Minister, Margarita Popova, presented before the EU and the US Ambassadors to Sofia the cabinet's idea for reform of the judicial system.

The Spanish Ambassador, Jorge Fuentes, who is representing his country as the rotational President of the EU, said foreign diplomats were very interested in the judicial reform and in the collaboration between the Bulgarian Justice and Interior Ministries.

According to Fuentes, most questions from EU Ambassadors involved the proposed amendment of the Judicial Power Bill to subject all members of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) to security clearance, adding the diplomats have not yet reached a joint opinion if the change would lead to interference of the executive power in the work of magistrates.

The US Ambassador, James Warlick, on his part, stated the US supports 100% the vision and the reform plans of the cabinet, pointing out Bulgaria must have a procedure to guarantee the newly-hired judges are capable and have integrity.

Fuentes explained the EU diplomats believe the Bulgarian Justice Ministry is on the right path and must be backed by all means.

In addition to the above said amendment, Popova had informed the Ambassadors of other important points of the reform, including the new way of selecting Court heads and selecting and evaluating magistrates.

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