site.btaJustice Minister Presents Proposed Constitutional Reform to Ambassadors of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland

The constitutional reform was the highlight of a meeting of Justice Minister Atanas Slavov with Ambassador Jes Brogaard Nielsen of Denmark, Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos of Finland, and Katarina Rangnitt of Sweden in Sofia on Monday, said the Justice Ministry. The three diplomats declared their willingness to support the accession of Bulgaria to the Schengen area and described the steps taken by the Bulgarian government so far as most encouraging.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Justice Minister Yuliya Kovacheva and the Minister's Chef de Cabinet Borislav Ganchev.

Slavov underscored the importance of the proposed reform in the judiciary with establishment of two councils: one for judges and another one for prosecutors and investigators. The majority of the members of the Prosecutors Council will now be elected by Parliament, which will be a way to exercise control over the Prosecutor General.

The Justice Minister also highlighted the idea of broadening access to the Constitutional Court (CC) by introducing direct constitutional appeal for citizens and granting every court the right to refer cases to the CC. The inclusion of the citizens is essential for the reform, he pointed out.

Slavov also talked about the proposed changes concerning the formation of caretaker governments, aiming to make sure the President is no longer the sole decision-maker when it comes to a caretaker government.

Answering questions from the ambassadors, the Minister said that the final adoption of the new anti-corruption law, which provides for the establishment of a new independent anti-corruption commission with investigative functions, was pending.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the assistance provided by the Justice Ministry to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bulgaria. The renovation of its building in central Sofia is nearing completion, and the Bulgarian prosecution service has declared its willingness to create a positive work environment in EPPO structures in Bulgaria, the Minister said.

Recent amendments to the the legislation on domestic violence were also on the agenda of the meeting and the matter will likely be discussed at a subsequent meeting.