Justice Minister: No Point in Rushing Constitutional Reform, Important to Seek Consensus

Yoanna Vodenova

Justice Minister Atanas Slavov, Nov. 28, 2023 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

28.11.2023 18:54

(BTA)

Justice Minister Atanas Slavov told journalists on Tuesday that there is no point in hurrying, that it is important to seek consensus on the big tasks that the constitutional reform aims at, and that enough time is needed to discuss the proposals between the two readings. He took part in the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, which discussed proposed amendments to the Constitution regarding the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

According to Slavov, a realistic deadline for the adoption of the amendments is within a month, but there should be a few weeks to discuss the proposals after the second time the bill will be voted at first reading next week.

"The constitutional changes will happen, they will happen in a consensual way and on the basis of the proposal made for a complete division of the Supreme Judicial Council into two separate councils," Slavov said. It is planned to have a joint composition of the Judicial Council and the Prosecution Council to discuss key issues such as the budget of the judiciary and other organisational issues. This joint composition will be chaired by the justice minister.

There will be a reform of the Prosecution Office as planned, despite the criticism, no political influence on the Prosecution Office will be allowed, but it will be focused on criminal proceedings, Slavov added.

In his words, it is very important that the whole constitutional reform guarantees the independence of the judiciary.

Committee Chair Radomir Cholakov said that the Constitution should be changed by consensus, not by compromise.

The session was also attended by Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) President Georgi Cholakov, Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) President Galina Zakharova, Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Pavlova, Supreme Bar Council Head Ivaylo Dermendjiev and SJC members.

/DD/