site.btaRuling Party Withdraws Controversial Revisions Affecting Foreign Financing for Professional Organizations of Magistrates

Sofia, July 26 (BTA) - The ruling GERB party announced Wednesday that it is pulling out controversial revisions to the Judicial System Act which banned foreign financing for professional organizations of judges, prosecutors, investigators and court clerks.

The decision was announced by GERB floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov shortly before the bill of amendments was to be voted conclusively by the parliamentary legal committee. "After a serious analysis and talks, including the non-government sector, we believe that it is a bad idea to go ahead with adopting these revisions," said Tsvetanov.

He said that his party "wants transparency of financing but no restrictions on the donors who help the Bulgarian education, culture, the NGO sector and professional organizations".

The controversial revisions passed earlier in July on first reading on 116-6 votes with 52 abstentions. They caused an outrage among NGOs and some political parties, and were slammed by tens of organizations, including the union of judges, of lawyers and of prosecutors. Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that the restrictions should be softened to allow financing from EU sources - and the authors of the revision acted accordingly which practically left the ban only for US sources of financing, notably the America for Bulgaria Foundation, which is supporting Bulgarian projects in the area of rule of law.

America for Bulgaria lashed out at the contemplated revisions saying that they are inconsistent with the Bulgarian Constitution and international acts, undermine the Euro-Atlantic values shared by Bulgaria and its EU and NATO allies and the long-standing legacy of friendship and goodwill between America and Bulgaria.

The Association of European Judges, too, expressed concern over the bill.

As he announced the decision to withdraw the amendments, Tsvetan Tsvetanov said that the activity of America for Bulgaria has gained popularity in recent years, ensuring over 170 million dollars in support of various sectors, including 105 million for education.

Tsvetanov said that he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and he agreed to the scrapping of the restrictions.

Tsvetanov also said that his group in Parliament has always been open for dialogue with the other parliamentary groups and with the non-government sector.

He ruled out any external pressure against the controversial revisions. "There has been none [external pressure] and we will never allow a foreign country to meddle in the way our country is run," said Tsvetanov adding that there was no interference by the European Commission either.