site.btaCC-DB Submit Bill to Amend Judicial System Act

Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) have submitted a bill proposing amendments to the Judicial System Act concerning the election of the Prosecutor General and the Presidents of the Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) and the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC), the National Assembly's website says. The bill aims to introduce additional guarantees for competitiveness, transparency, and integrity in the election process for these positions.

CC-DB argue that changes to the law are necessary due to a recurring issue in the election of the Prosecutor General, where only one candidate is nominated. They suggest expanding the initiative for nominations to include all members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Plenum, rather than just members of the Prosecutors Chamber.

The proposed amendments suggest that the selection process for the Prosecutor General and the Presidents of SCC and SAC should last at least six months. If the President refuses to appoint the selected candidate, a re-proposal could be made no earlier than two months after the refusal.

The bill also proposes that candidates be heard by the National Assembly, which would ensure sufficient publicity around the process.

The amendments introduce restrictions concerning the acting Prosecutor General, SCC President, and SAC President, including a ban on extending an expired term by appointing an acting official and a prohibition on an acting Prosecutor General running as a candidate due to a conflict of interest. If the election process is unsuccessful within the first six months following the termination of the procedure, a candidate cannot be appointed as an acting official, according to the proposed amendments.

CC-DB also propose that the open procedures for the election of the Prosecutor General and the SAC President be terminated upon the promulgation of the law.

The National Assembly and the judiciary will be tasked with initiating a procedure for the new election of SJC members within six months of the entry into force of the amendments, the bill says.