site.bta President Plevneliev: Hristo Ivanov Managed to Impose Judicial Reform as Central, Unavoidable Topic for the Public

President Plevneliev: Hristo Ivanov Managed to Impose Judicial Reform as Central, Unavoidable Topic for the Public

Sofia, December 10 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev said Thursday that he is proud for appointing Hristo Ivanov as deputy prime minister and minister of justice in the second caretaker government in the autumn of 2014. "I am proud that I opened the way to Bulgarian politics to a person who is worthy, a professional and a politician with a true will for reforms," Plevneliev said when he was asked by the press to comment recently adopted constitutional amendments and Ivanov's subsequent resignation.

Hristo Ivanov stepped down as Justice Minister in Borissov's second Cabinet on Wednesday, after Parliament refused to support constitutional changes which he saw as central in his judicial reform package.

According to the President, Ivanov has achieved a lot and managed to impose the judicial reform question as a central and unavoidable topic for the Bulgarian public. Plevneliev thanked the outgoing Minister for this, adding that although his resignation came as a surprise to him, he is certain that Ivanov will remain dedicated to the reform which he had prepared and initiated as a deputy prime minister and justice minister in the caretaker government that served between August and November of last year.

The President voiced hope the reform will be successfully completed.

"The second-reading vote on the constitutional amendment is a fact," the President said, recalling that even before the first-reading vote, he had urged the MPs to be braver and conduct a deeper reform. "Regardless of that, the majority in Parliament adopted these amendments on second reading," the head of State noted, implying that the 43rd National Assembly lacks a strong enough will to address the deep problems in the justice system.

"This is a process. We are witnessing just the first step and I hope we will not stop here. I will personally work so that the reforms in the justice system continue," Plevneliev said. He voiced hope that the amendments adopted by Parliament, although not in their full form and not as expected by the citizens, will serve as a foundation for future legislative changes.

Plevneliev commented the topic during a joint news conference with his Slovak counterpart Andrej Kiska, who is paying an official visit to Bulgaria.