Sofia Appellate Court Chair Elected after Years in Limbo

The Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) of Bulgaria elected on Tuesday Daniela Doncheva as head of the Sofia Court of Appeals, more than two years after the office remained vacant.

A majority of 9 to 5 votes resulted in the appointment of Doncheva, the only candidate in the current race.

Prior to her election, she was deputy head at the court and oversaw civil cases.

Tuesday's attempt has been the sixth in a row to find a chair for Bulgaria's largest appellate court.

Previous efforts failed on procedural grounds.

Two of the attempts included Veselin Pengezov, the former court chair who was dismissed and indicted on charges of embezzlement.

Subsequent attempts included the name of Sofia Appellate Court judge Neli Kutskova, but her candidacy failed to muster enough support from VSS members.

The Sofia Court of Appeals is the second-instance court for key commercial and criminal cases, but also in lawsuits brought against ministers, lawmakers, and judges.

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