Bulgarian Govt Mulls 16% Judiciary Cuts

According to Bulgaria's Constitution and a number of rules of the Constitutional Court, the budget of the judicial power is part of its independence. File photo

Bulgaria's Socialist-led government has asked the judicial power to cut its personnel cost by 16%.

The news emerged from a letter sent by the Finance Ministry to the Supreme Judicial Council, VSS, revealed by the Chairman of VSS Budget Committee, Mihail Kozharev.

Kozharev urged all VSS members to firmly oppose the move on grounds the law bans layoffs of judges, prosecutors and investigators.

It was reported over the weekend that the government is getting ready to lay off 40 000 (10%) State servants.

Kodzharov insists the cuts request is in breach of the Constitution and a number of rules of the Constitutional Court which postulate that the budget of the judicial power is part of its independence.

All VSS members, subsequently, have supported their budget committee and have rejected the cuts requested in the letter. VSS will make an official statement after it receives the draft budget.

VSS has asked for a budget of BGN 543 M for next year.

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