site.btaUpdated Judicial Reform Strategy, Roadmap Implemented at 33.99% Study Shows

Sofia, January 18 (BTA) - The implementation of the updated judicial reform strategy for 2014-2020 and the roadmap to it was 33.99 per cent as of December 2020, according to a study by the Economika 2000 Club in partnership with the Agency for Economic Development Kostinbrod. The results of the monitoring were presented on Tuesday at the National Press Club of BTA.      

In the initial years, the implementation of the updated strategy 2015-2018 was 21 per cent, and in the last two years it has been accelerating, with nearly 14 per cent of the measures implemented. Of the 103 measures covered by the roadmap, 21 have been implemented, 28 have been partially implemented and 54 have not been implemented.  

The conclusions from the monitoring are that there is a lack of consistency, focus and orientation towards a real result from the implementation of the set measures. The reasons for the non-implementation or partial implementation of the project strategy are the pandemic situation, the frequent political upheavals and the lack of continuity and consistency in the individual teams working on the strategy. Funding was not provided for some of the measures.  

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Salkova from the project team, there is no progress on the measures which define several responsible institutions, and some ministries cannot accept responsibility. She said that in its opinion the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy noted that given its functions it cannot be the institution responsible for the implementation of the envisaged measures for reintegration of convicted persons.  

The associate professor said that perhaps a strategy for the development of the judiciary should be considered, rather than a strategy for a reform which seems to have been exhausted as an option. According to her, the Judicial Reform Council should strengthen its work to control the periods of implementation.  

The project manager, Prof. Dr. Spartak Keremidchiev, added that entire sectors of law have not been affected by the reform, such as commercial law. According to him, the aim of the project is constructive criticism and contribution to better justice, as the materials of the project are sent to the relevant institutions. He added that the judicial reform does not have a manager, while in order for such a reform to be completed, someone must push it forward.

DT/MT