Bulgaria’s Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov Resigns  

Bulgaria’s Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov has resigned shortly after parliament approved an amendment to the Constitution concerning reform of the judiciary on Wednesday.

“I can say with great relief that I shall no longer exercise the powers of Justice Minister,” Ivanov told parliament, according to BGNES.

‘’Even though today is a day when important steps will be made toward strengthening the rule of law, this vote has become a symbolic step towards the suspicion that in Bulgaria one can speak more and more about the rule of the Chief Prosecutor,” Ivanov said.

Ivanov announced that he was stepping down after Parliament approved at second reading the split of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) into two colleges – one made of judges and another composed of prosecutors.

The MPs also adopted a proposal allowing parliament to hold hearings and adopt other reports of the chief prosecutor on law enforcement, measures to combat crime and implementation of the penal policy. The parliament will not be able to request from the chief prosecutor an account of the work of the prosecution.

The college of prosecutors will comprise 11 members divided into two quotas, to be filled by parliament and prosecutors, respectively.

Five members of the college of prosecutors will be elected by Parliament. The remaining six will comprise the Chief Prosecutor, four members elected by prosecutors and one elected by pre-trial investigators.

On Wednesday, DSB leader and reformist Bloc co-chair Radan Kanev told reporters that he would become an opposition MP.

„From now on the government of Mr. Borisov cannot rely on my personal support as member of parliament,” Kanev told reporters after Ivanov announced his resignation, according to BGNES.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has accepted Ivanov’s resignation, the government’s press office said.

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