site.btaDeputy PM Buchvarova: Annex to Coalition Agreement Specifying Next Steps in Judicial Reform Is Being Drafted

Deputy PM Buchvarova: Annex to Coalition Agreement Specifying Next  Steps in Judicial Reform Is Being Drafted

Sofia, December 17 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration Roumyana Buchvarova told journalists Thursday that an annex to the coalition agreement is being drafted that will specify the next steps in the judicial reform. In her words, the drafts are at a good phase of readiness. "We all understand that the constitutional amendments [passed conclusively on Wednesday] are only the first step, from here onwards there are many things that have to be done," she noted. The Government continues with the judicial reform, regardless of what is being claimed and what is happening politically, she added.

On Thursday Buchvarova, who is also Interior Minister, unveiled the Christmas edition of the charity campaign supporting the children of Interior Ministry employees killed or injured in the line of duty.

Also on Thursday, Reformist Bloc Co-Chair Nayden Zelenogorski told journalists that Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Lyutvi Mestan is worried about a re-signing of the coalition agreement between GERB and the Reformist Bloc, because it would guarantee quick judicial reforms and quick adoption of the anti-corruption legislation. Zelenogorski was asked to comment on Mestan's forecast for early general elections together with the presidential elections next year, and on his assessment of the current majority as being unstable.

Zelenogorski said that the annex to the coalition agreement is being drafted together with representatives of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), which is part of the Reformist Bloc but went into opposition recently. Commenting on the possibility of DSB leader Radan Kanev and his party returning to the ruling majority, Zelenogorski said it is early to talk about convictions.

The reformulated coalition agreement is expected to become a fact early next week. In Zelenogorski's words, the document contains the key things which have been discussed and which are the Reformist Bloc's priorities: quicker legislation concerning the Judicial System Act and amendments to the laws of procedure and the Penal Code. The annex will also contain a time frame that will give a serious impetus to the interaction between the Reformist Bloc and GERB, he added.

The Executive Council of the Reformist Bloc Tuesday issued a declaration that sets a six-month deadline for achieving results in these priority areas.