Bulgaria's New Chief Prosecutor to Take Oath of Office Thursday

Sotir Tsatsarov was elected Chief Prosecutor with 18 votes in favor on December 20. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Sotir Tsatsarov is to be sworn in as Bulgaria's new prosecutor general on Thursday for a seven-year term.

Bulgaria's highest juridical body elected on December 20 Sotir Tsatsarov to be the new chief prosecutor in a controversial and highly predictable move, believed to be orchestrated by the ruling GERB party.

Tsatsarov, up to now head of the Plovdiv District Court, won the position at the first round, with 18 votes "for", 3 "against" and 3 abstentions. He is believed to be close to Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

The selection process for the next chief prosecutor has been denounced by civic groups, while Internet forums in Bulgaria are overflowing with strong criticism and angry reactions.

His two opponents were Galina Toneva, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, and Borislav Sarafov, head of the Specialized Appellate Prosecutor's Office.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev hurriedly signed a decree officially appointing the controversially elected chief prosecutor.

The investigative site Bivol.bg recently claimed that Tsatsarov made misleading statements regarding his financial circumstances during a hearing.

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