Bulgaria Scraps 'Career Bonuses' for Supreme Judicial Council

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev recently imposed a veto on the amendments. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Parliament expectedly scrapped the amendments to the country's Judiciary Act that would allow the current members of the Supreme Judicial Council tol be automatically promoted once their terms in office expire.

President Rosen Plevneliev recently imposed a veto on the amendments after Prime Minister and leader of center-right ruling party GERB, Boyko Borisov, made a U-turn on the matter and controversially urged him to do so.

Last week, the left-wing oppositional Bulgarian Socialist Party described the veto as "make-believe" and "shameful", adding that the head of state had followed orders in resorting to it.

Plevneliev's veto did not cover a provision allowing the current Supreme Judicial Council members to appoint the next Chief Prosecutor.

The presidential veto similarly evades the issue of the EC-recommended direct appointment of Supreme Judicial Council members by all magistrates rather than by delegates.

Later on Wednesday, the Bulgarian lawmakers are to vote on another veto imposed by President Rosen Plevneliev, the one on the country's Forestry Act.

It is believed that it was Borisov who asked Plevneliev to impose that veto, too.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!