site.btaUPDATED Parliament Elects Desislava Atanasova, Borislav Belazelkov to Constitutional Court

Parliament elected Friday two Constitutional Court judges on the quota of the legislature: Desislava Atanasova and Borislav Belazelkov. They will take the seats of Constitutional Court judges whose term has expired a while ago.

Atanasova was backed by 159 MPs in the 240-seat Parliament, 65 voted against her and no one abstained. Belazelkov was elected in a 154-63 vote.

The third nominee, Tsveta Rangelova, who was proposed by Vazrazhdane, did not get enough support: 42 votes "for", 105 "against" and 68 abstentions. 

Atanasova was the floor leader of GERB-UDF and was nominated by her party. Belazelkov was put forward by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria. 

The two new judges were elected for a term of nine years, according to Parliament's decision, even though the Constitutional Court decided on January 11, 2024 that those of its members who are elected late, will have a reduced term in office.  The court decision takes effect on January 20.

The swearing-in of the new judges will be on January 26, said the Constitutional Court later on Friday. They will take the oath in the presence of the National Assembly Chair, the President and the Presidents of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court, as well as the news media.