site.btaCC-DB Moves Draft Decision on Procedure for Election of Anti-Corruption Commission Members

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) has submitted to Parliament a draft decision on the adoption of the rules of procedure for the formation of a Nomination Committee and the conduct of the procedure for nomination, consideration of candidates and election of members of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the website of the National Assembly shows.

The election of the Anti-Corruption Commission is a key element of the outgoing government's justice reform related to the fight against corruption.

The Nomination Committee is to be composed of five independent members, one each from the Supreme Court of Cassation, the Supreme Bar Council, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman, and the National Audit Office.

The Committee on Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption of the National Assembly shall send to the five institutions an invitation to nominate a representative to the Nomination Committee within 15 days of receipt of the invitation. Within 7 days of the submission of the proposals, the Committee on Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption shall verify whether the proposed candidates meet the legal requirements and shall, by a decision, determine and announce on the website of the National Assembly the composition of the Nomination Committee, convening it for a first meeting within no later than 7 days from the date of the decision.

The Nomination Committee shall select the candidates based on their eligibility, admitting to a hearing those candidates who meet the legal requirements for the post. Within 30 days of the eligibility meeting, the Nomination Committee shall hold a public hearing of the admitted candidates and submit to the National Assembly Committee on Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption a detailed and reasoned report containing an opinion on the performance of the candidates, as well as a recommended assessment based on a conclusion on the fulfilment of the legal requirements for the post; the candidates' moral and professional qualities and their qualifications and experience, etc.

CC-DB proposes that motivated proposals for candidates for the Anti-Corruption Commission be made by MPs or by non-profit legal entities for public benefit.

Parliament shall elect the members of the Anti-Corruption Commission by a two-thirds majority of all MPs. If three of the candidates fail to obtain the required two-thirds of the votes, a second vote shall be held in the same order. If three of the candidates do not receive the required votes, the National Assembly shall decide to open a new election procedure. The Committee on Prevention and Counteraction of Corruption shall issue a public call for nominations for the next members of the Anti-Corruption Commission within 3 months before the expiry of the mandate of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the draft also states.