site.btaNew Justice Minister Appointed to Replace Yanaki Stoilov Who Becomes Constitutional Judge

October 29 (BTA) - Caretaker Justice Minister Yanaki Stoilov was appointed a Constitutional Court Judge by President Rumen Radev on Friday. Stoilov will be replaced as Justice Minister by his current deputy, Ivan Demerdjiev, Radev told reporters here on Friday.

"Stoilov's reputation as a jurist is undoubted and I believe this [appointment] will crown a worthy career of a valuable person and professional," Radev said.

Talking about Demerdjiev, the President said he was a reputed jurist, a principled and successful deputy minister.

Four Constitutional Court judges are replaced every three years upon expiry of their nine-year term. The new judges are elected by the General Assembly of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court, or by the National Assembly, or are appointed by the President. Stoilov is replacing the Court's President Boris Velchev, whose term ends on November 15. Anastas Anastasov (elected by Parliament) and Georgi Angelov (elected by the General Assembly) also see their terms in office end on that date.

In the current rotation, the two Supreme Courts will elect one representative, the President has already appointed his, and the National Assembly will elect two, one of whom takes office in 2022.

The two Supreme Courts have a gentleman's agreement to take turns in nominating a Constitutional Court judge. It is now the Supreme Administrative Court's turn. ZH/DD
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