CVM Report Calls on Bulgaria to Continue Reform of Supreme Judicial Council

In its latest report assessing the progress made under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), which was officially released on Wednesday, the European Commission called on Bulgaria to continue reform of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS).

The Commission notes that Bulgaria made an important step by adopting the amendments to the constitution concerning the reform of the judiciary, including the division of VSS into two colleges.

However it notes that the adopted amendments differed significantly from the ones which had been initially proposed, in particular the allocation of quotas within VSS.

The adopted amendments represent an important step towards the reform of VSS, but there is need to ensure that the full range of measures planned in the judicial reform strategy are implemented.

The report also highlights the need to implement the reform of VSS through the necessary amendments to the Judicial System Act.

The European Commission recommends that a capacity within VSS should be established to monitor the application and security of the new system for the random allocation of cases.

There is also a need to develop a track record within VSS of consistent and transparent decision-making on appointments.

It was expected that the European Commission will be most critical in its assessment towards VSS and the prosecutor's office.

The report comes as pressure in the judicial system has been mounting, with the coalition government on Tuesday calling on VSS to resign due to recent scandals.

Members of VSS identified the politicians' demand as interference in the impartiality of VSS.

VSS is convening on Wednesday and is expected to discuss whether to dissolve itself.

The mechanism was set up at the accession of Bulgaria to the EU in 2007. It was agreed that further work was needed in key areas to address shortcomings in judicial reform, the fight against corruption, and tackling organised crime.

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