Bulgarian PM Vows Chief Prosecutor Appointed by New Supreme Council

Domestic | June 8, 2012, Friday // 20:49|  views

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov spoke at the international conference "Sofia Forum: the Balkans in the Global World - Encouraging the European Perspective of the Region." Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The new Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) should appoint the next Chief Prosecutor, Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, announced Friday.

The possibility emerged on Thursday, when MPs approved conclusively a set of amendments to the Judiciary Act, under which Bulgaria's next Chief Prosecutor could be appointed by the current or by the next VSS panel.

The step was made possible after the deadline for the launch of the procedure was moved 4 months earlier.

Speaking at the international conference "Sofia Forum: the Balkans in the Global World - Encouraging the European Perspective of the Region," Borisov explained that the amendment postulating the country's top prosecutor could be chosen by the current VSS could be attributed to "summer months when nobody wants to do work and make key decisions."

He was adamant the appointment will be made by the next VSS.

According to experts cited by news portal mediapool.bg, the amendments were passed Thursday because the current members of VSS would more easily appoint a Chief Prosecutor that is convenient for the GERB government.

The option of current VSS members deciding the next Chief Prosecutor was opposed by Vice President Margarita Popova, Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev, Justice Minister Diana Kovacheva, and President Rosen Plevneliev, who, unlike the first three has the power to block the appointment by refusing to sign a decree for it.

Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev's term in office expires on February 19.

Prior to the adoption of the latest set of amendments to the Judiciary Act, the procedure for the appointment of Velchev's successor was to start on December 19 and to end on January 19.

However, MPs rescheduled the procedure, setting the start on August 19 and the end on November 19.

The step means that the current VSS panel will have 45 days to appoint a new Chief Prosecutor because its term in office expires on October 3.

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Tags: VSS, Supreme Judicial Council, Chief Prosecutor, Rosen Plevneliev, Bulgarian President, Boris Velchev, Margarita Popova, Vice President, PM, Balkans, EU, Boyko Borisov, international conference, Sofia Forum, European Perspective, region

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